In Memory of Police Officer Stephen E. Sawka #3790

Died in the line of duty

Protecting the citizens of Philadelphia on June 18, 1983

Dedicated by his family and friends

The words are simple; the meaning is strong.

In those few words - etched into a plaque and cemented in the ground at the intersection of Sepviva and York streets in Fishtown - the city honors the sacrifice Officer Stephen Sawka made for Philadelphia.

During a ceremony held Wednesday, Sept. 30, members of the fallen officer's family joined representatives from the Philadelphia Police to unveil a plaque in his memory.

It would be the 75th such plaque dedicated to a fallen officer.

Students from the nearby Horatio B. Hackett Elementary School stood alongside police officers as members of law enforcement took position at a nearby podium to discuss the importance the officer's service and sacrifice.

An American flag, hung from a large crane, cast its long shadow over the crowd prior to the unveiling of the plaque.

The memorial, covered in the blue and gold Philadelphia flag, remained hidden, framed by four red roses as Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey stood to address the gathered crowd.

"Even though a little more than 25 years have passed, the void will linger forever," Ramsey said of Sawka's passing. "It's important that we send a message to the family, and to all the members of our department, that their sacrifice will never be forgotten."

Officer Sawka worked in the 26th District. At 27, he had already been working as an officer for three years when he suddenly died of a heart attack following a street brawl.

On June 18, 1983, Sawka was on patrol at about 3 a.m., when he and his partner responded to a call of a fight at 2200 E. York St.

At that time, the officers broke up the fight, but were called back five minutes later when two men returned to the scene and continued to fight.

While breaking up the scuffle, Sawka and his partner were attacked by a number of men who joined the fight, but the officers were eventually able to subdue their attackers and take the offenders into custody.

However, both officers received injuries during the melee and, after having his wounds photographed at a police facility, Sawka complained of chest pains and was quickly transported to Metropolitan Hospital on Wyoming Avenue.

He died of a heart attack at around 7:10 a.m. that day.

Sawka was survived by his wife, Elizabeth, and his year-old son, Stephen.