Hundreds mourn DRPA officer killed in line of duty

Hundreds of officers from around the region gathered at the Cathedral Basilica of Ss. Peter and Paul today to salute Cpl. Christopher "Chris" Milito, a Delaware River Port Authority police officer who was killed early Saturday in an accident on the Walt Whitman Bridge.

Delivering the homily during the funeral mass, Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia, said Milito died in service to his fellow man.

"It was a big Christian gesture on his part," Rigali said. "Our hearts go out to all who knew him.

The rituals of farewell for the 16-year veteran of the DRPA force began this morning with a procession from the foot of the Ben Franklin Bridge to the cathedral.

With police bagpipers leading the way, Milito's coffin was carried through Center City in a horse-drawn hearse.

A viewing began at 7 a.m. at the cathedral and was followed at 11 a.m. by the funeral mass with Rigali as chief celebrant.

Milito, of Media, was hit and fatally injured about 1:30 a.m. Saturday when he was hit by an eastbound car while running traffic lanes on the Walt Whitman Bridge to help an officer who had responded to a motor vehicle accident.

Milito was a 1988 graduate of Lamberton High School in the Overbrook section of Philadelphia, where he grew up. He attended Community College of Philadelphia from 1988 to 1991 and earned a certificate in police training from Camden County College in 1994.

He is survived by sisters Valerie Furlan, Rita Martino and Gina Milito and a brother, Thomas.

Burial was to be in SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Springfield, Delaware County.