Facebook group for fallen police officer Pawlowski surpasses 14,000 members

Updated 1:30 p.m. 2/18/09

By Christopher Wink

Nearly 14,500 people have joined a Facebook group dedicated to Philadelphia Police Officer John Pawlowski, who was gunned down after responding to a call about a fight near Broad Street and Olney Avenue early Friday night.

The group for Pawlowski, 25,was made by Matt Keller, a student at Haverford Senior High School in Haverton in Delaware Montgomery County.

“The main purpose of my group is to show his family and friends how much we all care and to give as much support as we can,” Keller said. “It’s just a great feeling to see how many people have and are still joining the group and I hope that Officer John Pawlowski’s family sees how much we all care.”

A second similar Facebook group has appeared, launched by Creighton Rabs from West Chester, with more than 11,000 members.

Below is the description of the Pawlowski group, as written by Keller, a suburban volunteer firefighter who never met Pawlowski.

On Friday, February 13th, Officer John Pawlowski was shot and killed in the Logan section of Philadelphia at the intersection of Broad Street and Olney Ave. at about 20:00 hrs. The purpose of this group is not only to thank Officer John Pawlowski for protecting us and our family but also to show his family and friends how much we all care. Lets try and show as much support as we can and I give all my thoughts and prayers to Officer John Pawlowski’s family. Rest in peace Officer John Pawlowski. Thank your for all you have done for us!I am sorry for all of the disrespectful and hurtful posts and pictures that keep getting added to this group. I have contacted facebook numerous times but nothing is being done. I thank everyone who has kept me updated by messages and that shows how much everyone cares. Please keep me updated and I will check as much as I can and keep deleting all of it in respect of Officer John Pawlowski. Please everyone as hard as it is try not to comment on the horrible stuff that is posted. This is giving the cowards the attention they want. We are all here to give full remembrance to Officer John Pawlowski and show his family how much we all care. Thank you all so much! [Source]
There was a community mass for the fallen police officer yesterday night at St. Anselm’s Church in Parkwood at 7:30 p.m. He was the sixth officer killed in the last two years. He leaves behind his wife and his unborn child. Pawlowski’s killer, Rasheed Scrugs, remains hospitalized with wounds suffered from the shootout with other officers.

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