Patrol cop nabs suspected shooter

Officer Milord Celce hit the streets of North Philly on Wednesday, hunting for a thug who had recently shot at two fellow cops.
After banging on residents' doors for a few hours, Celce found several people who said they saw the gunman fire at the two officers at 12th and Hazzard streets on Aug. 6.
Celce even convinced the witnesses to travel to Central Detectives, at 21st and Hamilton streets, where they identified the triggerman as career-criminal Donald Tillman, police officials said.
Happy with his contribution to the case, Celce returned to finish his shift in the 22nd District at about 11 p.m. — and promptly crossed paths with Tillman, said police spokesman Lt. Frank Vanore.
Tillman, 24, bolted when he saw Celce, Vanore said. But the 27-year-old cop gave chase, and captured Tillman on 11th Street near Cumberland.
Tillman, who has 16 prior arrests, was charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, weapons violations and related offenses, Vanore said.
"It's a good story," Vanore said.
"You have a conscientious officer who's out there pounding the pavement, trying to develop information, and he ends up catching the bad guy."
According to court records, Tillman's criminal history includes convictions on drug-possession charges in 2003 and 2007.
Tillman allegedly fired one shot when two cops approached him for acting suspiciously about 8:20 p.m. on Aug. 6.
One cop fired back at Tillman, who dropped a .40-caliber Glock semiautomatic at the scene and ran, Vanore said.
Celce, a 2-year veteran, works a regular foot beat in the 22nd District, headquartered at 17th Street and Montgomery Avenue.
"He has a good rapport with the residents, and that probably helped in this situation," said Capt. Branville Bard, the district's commander.
"Seconds after he made that arrest, I told him he did a fantastic job. You could tell he was proud of himself."