Memorial services planned for anniversary of cop's murder

Tomorrow marks the 1-year anniversary of the murder of Highway Patrol Sgt. Patrick McDonald.

A series of memorial events will start at noon at Highway Patrol's headquarters, on Erie Avenue near G Street. Police officials said McDonald's family and members of his unit will travel from Erie Avenue to his grave at Resurrection Cemetery in Bensalem, where a moment of silence will be held at 1:47 p.m. -- the moment he died from an array of gunshot wounds.

The memorial will continue with a visit to Colorado Street near Susquehanna Avenue in North Philadelphia, where McDonald had his fatal encounter with career criminal Daniel Giddings. Giddings, who reportedly stood over McDonald and shot him numerous times, was killed during a shoot-out with police later  that day.

Police officials said the procession will stop at the Police Academy for a tree-dedication, then end with a candlelight vigil at Liberty Bell Ball Field, at Red Lion and Calera roads.