Catholic school students offer thanks to Phila. police

With two trays of mini-cupcakes and mini-danishes, about a dozen Cardinal Dougherty students made a surprise visit to the Police Department's 35th District yesterday in a show of gratitude and sympathy.

Along with the pastries, the students presented officers with a framed plaque that read: "We are so sorry for your loss this year. Thank you for your bravery and service."

Dougherty was one of three local Catholic schools whose students visited police districts that lost an officer in the line of duty over the last 13 months.

The 35th was the home district of Sgt. Chuck Cassidy, who was fatally shot in October 2007 when he interrupted a robbery at a Dunkin' Donuts.

"It's a shame that this happened and it's so close to our school," said Michelle Boggs, a Dougherty freshman. "We thought this was a good way to make everyone feel better."

In what the archdiocese called a "day of gratitude," Roman Catholic High School held a Blue Mass for the department at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul on the Parkway.

West Philadelphia Catholic students visited the 16th District, where Officer Isabel Nazario worked. And Archbishop Ryan students visited the 25th, where Sgt. Patrick McDonald was assigned, and the 24th, which lost two officers, Sgts. Stephen Liczbinski and Timothy Simpson. All four died in the line of duty this year.

"This is great for them to do this for us," said Cpl. Tracey Davis of the 35th District. "It's really beautiful."

Mary McDonald, assistant principal at Cardinal Dougherty, said that Cassidy, a Dougherty grad, often visited the school.

"We just wanted to thank them," she said, "and show our appreciation for what they do."