The Thin Blue Line Gets Thinner,....

Philadelphia Officer Shot, Killed By Bank Robbers
Fallen Police Sergeant Identified, Extensive Manhunt Underway

PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ― A Philadelphia Police officer has died after being shot by alleged bank robbery suspects in the city's Port Richmond section Saturday morning.

Authorities said at least two armed men held up the Bank of America inside a Shop Rite located at Aramingo and Castor Avenues at 11:26 a.m.

A 24th District Police Sergeant and 12-year veteran, 40-year-old Stephen Liczbinski, was ambushed by the fleeing gunmen in the 2600 block of Schiller Street. Sergeant Liczbinski was taken to Temple University Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries early Saturday afternoon.

"At least one of the males fired shots striking and fatally wounding Sgt. Liczbinski," Police Commission Charles Ramsey said.

A police pursuit ensued following the officer's shooting and one of the suspects was shot by police in the 500 block of E. Louden Street in the Feltonville section. The unidentified suspect was taken to Temple University Hospital where he died.

"The second individual and possibly a third individual is still at large. They are now part of an extensive search," Ramsey said.

Members of law enforcement from the Philadelphia Police Department, Pennsylvania and Delaware State Police have been involved in a city-wide manhunt for two other suspects, including a possible female accomplice. The suspects are considered armed and dangerous and anyone with information on their whereabouts is urged to contact Philadelphia police.

During an afternoon news conference, Mayor Nutter and Police Commissioner Ramsey told the city of Philadelphia to wrap their arms around the fallen officer's family and offer support in this time of tragedy.

"I ask that we rally around this family wrap our arms around them, keep them in our prayers. They will need ongoing help and support as we grapple with what has happened here today and I just want to express my own personal sympathies to this family and thank the officer for his long hard work for the Philadelphia Police Department," Mayor Nutter said.

Sergeant Liczbinski, who was promoted to Sergeant in October of 2007, leaves behind a wife, two sons and a daughter.

"This loss of life from a fine Philadelphia Police Officer is just one more example of the senseless violence that takes place here in our city. Our hearts and our prayers go out to his wife Michelle, his sons; Matt, Steven, and his daughter Amber. We are all affected by what has happened here," Mayor Nutter said.

There is an active manhunt for the other two suspects who were last seen near F Street and Roosevelt Boulevard near a wooded area just south of Friends Hospital. Police describe them as:

Suspect #1:
Tall black male
Medium build
Dressed in full robe

Wearing sunglasses during the robbery
Had a shoulder type bag over his right shoulder

Suspect #2:

Possibly a female
Unknown race
Standing 5-foot-6 to 5-foot-7

Wearing light brown robe from head to toe

Suspect #3:

Stalky build
Standing 6-foot-2 to 6-foot-3
Medium brown complexion
Shoulder length dreadlocks type hair that could have possibly been a wig
Blue jeans and a light colored shirt that may have been a flannel shirt
Wearing a white mask possibly a hospital or construction-type mask over his mouth

Anyone with information should immediately notify police as they are considered armed and dangerous.