Parolee Who Ambushed Philly Officer Could Face Death

Jury selection was scheduled to begin today in the trial of the parolee who ambushed and killed Philadelphia Police Officer John Pawlowski in early 2009, reports the Philadelphia Inquirer.

The trial of Rasheed Scrugs, 35, is the fourth in 10 months covering one of the darkest periods in the Philadelphia PD, which lost seven officers on-duty in less than three years.

On Feb. 13 2009, Pawlowski was a five-year officer who initially responded to a 911 call from a taxi driver who said a man had threatened him. Scruggs allegedly ambushed the officer, firing a round that struck Pawlowski in the neck area just above his body armor. The officer got off one shot.

The district attorney is seeking the death penalty, which would be imposed if the verdict is first-degree murder.

Read the full story at Philly.com.