Craig Price, retired SEPTA police officer

Craig Price, 62, of Ambler, a retired SEPTA Transit Police officer who acted as patrolman, detective, and then trainer during 30 years on the job, died of pneumonia Friday, Jan. 18, at Fox Subacute at Clara Burke. He had been paralyzed since falling down a flight of stairs in October.

A graduate of West Philadelphia High School and Temple University Police Academy, he joined the SEPTA Transit Police Department in 1982 and retired last year with the rank of sergeant.

Sgt. Price began as a patrolman when crime was plaguing the subway system. As he worked to combat it, he became known as an officer who was fair but firm, his colleagues said.

From walking a beat, he moved to the Detective Division, where he conducted criminal investigations for SEPTA, internal and external.

"His caring personality was such that he often got confessions for crimes because suspects genuinely liked him," his family said. "He knew how to be compassionate and stern at the same time."

From detective, he switched to sergeant in charge of training; over the years, he molded hundreds of recruits and stayed in touch with many.

"He was the consummate professional. He held everybody's attention no matter what he was doing," said Lt. Garrett L. Marsh Sr., under whom he worked in the Training Unit. "He was always positive about everything. But he could come across in a way that you knew he meant business."

Sgt. Price was certified to teach defense tactics, and the proper use of firearms and the expandable baton. He also provided guidance on how to combat violence in the workplace, and worked to create teaching modules for SEPTA in all of those areas.

Sgt. Darryl Simmons, who worked under Sgt. Price and then as an equal after he was promoted in the Training Unit, described him as "a great person, a proud person."

"He took extra pride in his uniform and the way he wore it. He was a sharp dresser," Simmons said.

He taught recruits and veteran officers to respect the rights of others, to protect themselves at all times, and to be kind when necessary, his family said.

"He was compassionate with his fellow officers and always ready to lend an ear or helping hand ... and developed a peer-to-peer group to aid officers who had experienced traumatic incidents," his family said.

Sgt. Price could often be found at the Mattie N. Dixon Community Cupboard in Ambler, helping with food and clothing collected for those in need.

"At one point, he was president of the board for a year," said his wife, Denise McMillan Price. "He liked to help any way he could. He was about giving something back."

Surviving, in addition to his wife of 26 years, are his mother, Florence; daughters Saleema Smith and Ebony; a granddaughter; a sister; and nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held later.

Donations may be made to the Mattie N. Dixon Community Cupboard, 150 N. Main St., Ambler, Pa. 19002.