On Tuesday afternoon, September 23, 2008, Philadelphia Highway Patrol Officer Patrick McDonald, age 30, stopped a vehicle at 17th and Dauphin Streets. The male passenger gave a false name, fled on foot, and Officer McDonald pursued him for several blocks, radioing for backup and describing the suspect.

The chase ended in a struggle in the 2200 block of North Colorado Street. During the confrontation the suspect, identified as 27-year-old Daniel Giddings, drew a .45-caliber handgun and shot Officer McDonald. After McDonald fell, Giddings fired several more shots, then stole a bicycle and tried to escape. Responding motorcycle officers intercepted him; Giddings knocked one officer from his motorcycle and engaged in a running gun battle with Officer Richard Bowes, who was wounded but returned fire and fatally shot Giddings.

Giddings had been on parole after a recent release and was wanted for assaulting officers two days earlier. The handgun used was illegally trafficked; Stephen Lashley was later convicted for transporting the weapon and sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, and Jason Mack was charged with providing false information to buy it. Officer McDonald, an eight-year veteran, was posthumously promoted to Sergeant.

If anyone remembers the traffic stop or the events around 17th and Dauphin on September 23, 2008, please share what you know.