Garrett T. Farrell was a 26-year-old officer with the Philadelphia Police Department who was shot and killed on September 26, 1980, while pursuing a suspect who had robbed a 72-year-old woman of her purse. The chase led into a wooded area near Price Street and Wayne Avenue, where the suspect—reported to be a 33-year-old career criminal who was on a weekend pass from prison—turned and opened fire, striking both officers multiple times. Despite returning fire, Officer Farrell and the suspect were killed and Farrell’s partner was critically wounded.

Farrell had served three years with the department and was assigned to the 14th District. His death had a profound impact on his family; two of his brothers, also officers, were among those who responded and had been involved in a gun battle in the same area five years earlier. His wife, also a Philadelphia police officer, was deeply affected by the loss.

What information do readers have about the robbery or the suspect’s weekend pass that might shed light on how the encounter unfolded?