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Recognizing and honoring Philadelphia Police Officers Taylor Sidler and Paul Watson for protecting the lives of community residents by immediately, and heroically, springing to action in response to a shooting at Shepard Recreation Center on August 16, 2022.
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WHEREAS, On August 16, 2022, neighboring residents of West Philadelphia's Shepard Recreation Center heard a sound that has become all too familiar for Philadelphia residents. That night, six gunmen opened fired in a horrific drive-by shooting which wounded three people and critically injured two. Nearly 100 shots rang out on that summer evening where members of the community gathered to play basketball and football; and
WHEREAS, Upon hearing the gun shots, two 19th District Police Officers, Taylor Sidler and Paul Watson, drove towards the recreation center. After witnessing a man with a firearm getting into a Dodge Durango, the officers followed until the vehicle crashed, and a foot chase ensued. Officers Sidler and Watson ran towards danger and apprehended three of the shooters; and
WHEREAS, Officer Taylor Sidler is a graduate of Wilkes University with a Bachelor's Degree in Criminology. Following his academic career, he joined the Philadelphia Police Department and graduated from the police academy in 2017. Through his five years of patrol experience, he has been assigned to the 19th Police District. Officer Sidler is well trained in policing and has attended trainings on identifying criminal vehicles, deceptive behaviors, proactive patrol tactics, Pennsylvania state Caselaw, and narcotic investigation related traffic stops. In addition to his police work, Officer Sidler is a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, is a coach for youth sports, and was recently inducted into the Pottsville High School All Sports Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, Officer Paul Watson served in the United States Marine Corps and served a combat tour in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan. After his service, he joined the...
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