Police continued searching relentlessly last night for the killer of Police Officer Chuck Cassidy , acknowledging they were investigating the latest of about a half-dozen potential suspects who had come to their attention.

No details were provided, and police asserted that no arrest was imminent.

Throughout yesterday, a special task force based on the third floor of Police Headquarters continued to gather information and possible evidence in the Wednesday morning shooting of the 25-year police veteran.

The beehive of activity contrasted with the scene outside the Dunkin' Donuts at 6620 N. Broad St., where Cassidy was gunned down when he interrupted an armed robbery.

There, an informal memorial has appeared outside with stuffed animals, votive candles, bouquets, notes offering sympathy, scriptural passages, and promises of justice.

As a chilling autumnal breeze scattered leaves across the West Oak Lane neighborhood, a steady flow of visitors - strangers, friends, some tearful, all somber - stopped to stare at the offerings, to take a snapshot, to reflect on the tragedy.

While police continued to search for leads, officials increased the reward for Cassidy 's killer again, to $153,000.

Mayor Street, in his weekly radio address yesterday, renewed his call for greater state and national gun-control laws after the shootings of Cassidy , 54, and two other officers last week in separate crimes.

"We need stronger laws against the flood tide of illegal handguns in our communities," the mayor said.

"The violence just doesn't seem to end," said Adele Friedman, 59, of Rhawnhurst, who arrived at the memorial with her son, Elliot, to deposit a bouquet.

"He had such a short life," she said. She said she was struck by those who had "their lives taken away without anybody having a chance to say goodbye. It's not something that people should get used to. "

A breeze fluttered the balloons, which lent an incongruously festive look to the memorial. The owner of the Dunkin' Donuts shop erected a tent over the growing pile Friday. He said the shop would not reopen until after Cassidy 's funeral Wednesday, out of respect to the officer who stopped there daily on his security rounds.

"I came to pay my respects," said John Stires, 25, a police officer from Gloucester Township, who visited with his wife, Amber. They laid down a bouquet of yellow roses. "I'm just glad to see that Officer Cassidy has support. He's not alone. "

Patrice Konfouo, who once worked as a clerk at the 35th District Police station, where Cassidy was based, described him as "a pleasant spirit" who had been honest and loved his job.

"He wasn't like this supercop," she said, "but he loved what he did. It just seems so sad he was killed doing something like a simple security check. "

Cassidy was shot after a bystander alerted him that "something" was happening in the doughnut shop. According to surveillance videos, Cassidy drew his pistol and walked in the door. A robber, described as a heavyset African American man with a tattoo of a spider on his left hand, turned and fired a bullet into Cassidy 's forehead before the officer got off a shot. Cassidy died on Thursday.

Robert Eddis, the past president of Lodge 5 of the Fraternal Order of Police, said the intensity of the city's mourning seemed more profound partly because the level of violence was elevated and people were "numb" after three officers were shot.

"There's been a nonstop outpouring of grief," he said. "We're just hoping that leads to an arrest or the killer giving himself up. "

Contact staff writer Andrew Maykuth at 215-854-2947 or amaykuth@phillynews.com.

Services Set

Family and friends of Officer Chuck Cassidy may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the John F. Givnish Funeral Home, 10975 Academy Rd. in the Northeast.

Others may call after 7:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul in Center City, where a Funeral Mass will be said at noon.

Burial will be private at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Cheltenham.

Reward Posted

A $153,000 reward has been established for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the man who killed Officer Chuck Cassidy . If you have information, call the Homicide Unit at 215-686-3335. You can also call the Citizens Crime Commission of the Delaware Valley at 215-546-8477.