Police Officer Cecil Ingling

Cecil Ingling

Police Officer Cecil Ingling was shot and killed when he attempted to take action during a robbery of a supermarket at 1927 Fairmount Avenue while off duty.

Officer Ingling and his family were outside the market when they heard shots coming from inside. His wife and two children watched helplessly, as one of two robbers shot him five times when Officer Ingling grabbed the robber as he ran from the market. As the two suspects fled in their stolen get-away car other officers pursued. As the car zoomed around a sharp curve one of the suspects fell out and was captured.

A year later the other suspect was captured in Chicago, and the driver of their get-away car was captured. All three suspects were convicted of first degree murder. Two were sentenced to life, the other death. In 1955, the third suspect's death sentence was commuted to life.

Officer Ingling served with the Philadelphia Police Department for only six months and previously served as a Corrections Officer for 12 years. He was survived by his wife and two kids.