It happened at the intersection of 11th Street and Indiana Avenue shortly after noon.
Authorities say two detectives from the Major Crimes Unit were attempting to serve an arrest warrant to 25-year-old Kevin Robinson related to a shooting last October.
As they opened the door, police say Robinson pulled out a gun and opened fire, hitting 42-year-old Al Ford in the left leg.
Police say both detectives, including Ford, returned fire and killed Robinson. Investigators recovered the suspect's .380 semi-automatic handgun.
Police say the 25-year-old Robinson had eight prior arrests.
Robinson's distraught family members dismissed the police version of events.
"Of course, they're the police," said Roxanne Neal, Kevin Robinson's aunt.
Detective Ford is in stable condition at Temple Hospital. Police say he was in good enough shape to call his wife after the shooting to tell her he would be okay. Ford will likely remain in the hospital until Friday morning for observation.
He spent Thursday surrounded by his wife and four children.
"He is in tremendously good spirits and the entire city is in good spirits with him," said Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter. "We've been to thise scene too many times."
Ford is a 20 year veteran of the force.
Six Philadelphia police officers have been killed in the line of duty in the past 16 months.
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