Philly Cop Edward Sawicki III Charged With Making Threats and Harassment

On Wednesday, the Philadelphia District Attorney’s office announced that it had charged Philadelphia police officer Edward Sawicki III with simple assault, harassment, disorderly conduct, and making terroristic threats stemming from an October 2013 incident in South Philadelphia.

According to a statement by the DA’s office, Sawicki, who is 34, was off-duty at the time of the altercation. Sawicki lives in Northeast Philadelphia.

Sawicki turned himself into police on Wednesday.

Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey has suspended Sawicki for 30 days and intends to fire him. Of course, we all know how complicated firing a Philadelphia police officer can be.

Here are the allegations against Sawicki, as set forth in the DA’s statement:

On October 20, 2013, at approximately 2:45 AM, the victim was walking near in the 1300 block of S. 9th St. when he came into contact with Edward Sawicki. Sawicki was backing up in his vehicle when the vehicle struck the victim, hitting him in the knee. The victim then pounded on the trunk of Sawicki’s vehicle with his hand in order to alert Sawicki that he backed into him.

Sawicki exited the car, pulled up his shirt showing a gun, and rushed at the victim. Sawicki then yelled racial epitaphs at the victim and threatened to kill him. At one point Sawicki stated “N#!!er, I’ll smoke you” while keeping his hand on the holstered gun.

The victim immediately contacted the police, Sawicki was identified as an off-duty Philadelphia police officer, and Sawicki’s gun, which was his city-issued firearm, was confiscated.