It was a very close call for a police officer who was shot Friday night in West Philadelphia.
It was the very sort of encounter every officer trains for. A routine traffic stop in West Philadelphia quickly became a shootout.
One officer was shot in the exchange of gun fire, but thanks to a last minute reminder, he will live to see the New Year.
For more than an hour, Philadelphia police from every section of the city gathered anxiously outside the Hospital at the University of Pennsylvania.
Inside officer Adam O'Donnell, struck by a bullet, was undergoing treatment by doctors.
"He's got a bruised lung from the impact of the round," said Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey.
O'Donnell and his partner Ivan Centeno were on routine patrol in West Philadelphia around 7:45 pm, when they spotted this minivan run a red light at 57th and Spruce.
The officers tried to pull the driver over, but at first he refused, driving the wrong way down a one way street, before being blocked in by the police cruiser at Frasier and Walnut.
O'Donnell and Centeno approached the car.
"The suspect, without saying a word, fired his firearm. He struck O'Donnell in the stomach area," said Commissioner Ramsey.
Already hit, O'Donnell, along with Centeno, retreated, and returning fire. In the hail of bullets, the suspect, not yet identified, was shot and killed.
Mayor Nutter said the officers were targeted just doing their jobs.
"There's no reason for it. It's unacceptable. This crap has got to stop in our city," said Mayor Michael Nutter.
Amazingly, it was a reminder issued Friday morning that may have saved Officer Adam O'Donnell's life.
"In our morning briefing, we made it clear, make sure they are wearing their vest," said Commissioner Ramsey.
