PHILADELPHIA, PA — The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #5 has announced that the funeral for police officer Richard Mendez will be held next week, with two public viewings planned prior to the service. Mendez was shot and killed last week during a car burglary in a parking garage at Philadelphia International Airport.
Mendez and Officer Raul Ortiz encountered several men breaking into a vehicle on Oct. 12 in parking garage D at the airport. Ortiz sustained a gunshot wound to the arm and was later released from the hospital. Mendez, who was shot four times, was pronounced dead at the scene.
A 22-year veteran of the force, Mendez was 50 years old and left behind a wife and daughter.
The funeral service will take place at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter and Paul in the Logan Square neighborhood of Center City. Words of remembrance are scheduled to begin at 11:30 a.m., followed by a funeral mass at noon. Interment will immediately follow at Forest Hills Cemetery in Huntingdon Valley.
Before the funeral, two public viewings are set to occur. The first will be held at the John F. Givnish Funeral Home in Northeast Philadelphia on Monday from 5:30-9 p.m. The second viewing will be from 8-11:30 a.m. Tuesday at the cathedral.
A Commander’s march is planned for Monday at 4:45 p.m., starting at Archbishop Ryan High School and ending at the John F. Givnish Funeral Home at 10975 Academy Rd. in Philadelphia.