Sorry guys, I know I've been promising something funny, and I was working on it , but then this happened earlier today.

A quick summary:

"A Philadelphia police officer was shot and killed with a military assault rifle late this morning when he confronted at least two robbers who had just held up a Bank of America branch at a Shoprite supermarket in Port Richmond.

"Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey identified the slain officer as Stephen Liczbinski, 40, a 12-year police veteran assigned to the 24th District in Port Richmond who recently had been promoted to sergeant. Liczbinski’s wife, Michelle, and their three children — Matt, Steven and Amber — were escorted into the hospital by police officials.

"Liczbinski ran into the robbers sometime after they fled the bank. Officials said the weapon used to kill him may have been an AK-47 style assault rifle, used by numerous armies and insurgent groups around the world."

After speaking with a 92nd District officer at work before I left tonight, I can confirm that the weapon used was an AK-47 and that Sgt. Liczbinski was shot 8 times as he got out of this patrol vehicle, executed before he even had a chance to be prepared to defend himself. I can't begin to explain how angry and upset I am over this... No public safety officer should ever have to face this type of incident... I understand that violence is a part of the job as a cop, especially in such a violent city as Philadelphia, but any officer should be able to rely on his or her bulletproof vest to protect them, but Sgt. Liczbinski had no such luck, and that's just wrong... I take some comfort in the knowledge that one of the three suspects was shot and killed in another confrontation with the PPD shortly thereafter.

There have been two legitimate executions of police officers in less than a year... One shot and killed when he walked in on a robery during his daily trip to Dunkin Donuts and now this. Maybe it's just that I don't understand the culture of violence, or if I'm just horribly out of touch, but this whole situation saddens, confuses and infuriates me. To be honest with you, I don't particularly care one iota if either of the two remaining suspects ever sees the inside of a jail cell... I hope that the PPD finds them and gives them the justice they deserve, which does not involve being housed and fed at state expense for the remainder of their life, if you understand what I'm saying.

RIP Sgt. Liczbinski... I hope you all will join me in praying for him and his family during this horrible time.

UPDATE: Closure before the funeral.