At a 12:30 a.m. news confernece, Mayor Michael Nutter and Police Chief Charles Ramsey appeared before the media to announce the death of Officer Isabel Nazario, 40. Officials say Nazario was an 18 year veteran of the police force.
The mayor's office says Ofc. Nazario is survived by a mother, her 13-year-old daughter Jazmine, her sister, Officer Maritza Mohamad, a Philadelphia Police Officer in the 39th District, and a fiance.
"This is a very sad day for all of us," said Police Chief Charles Ramsey. "This is the second officer killed in the line of duty this year."
Officials tell Action News that the officers, from the narcotics division, were in a marked cruiser with their lights activated in pursuit of a 16-year-old suspect driving a white Cadillac Escalade.
At some point in the pursuit, the same Escalade hit the police cruiser on the passenger side, where Ofc. Nazario was riding.
The officers had to be taken out of their cruiser with the jaws of life, and were taken to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
Ofc. Nazario was pronounced dead at 9:48 p.m.
"Our hearts and prayers go out to the family," said Mayor Michael Nutter.
The other officer in the car, Ofc. Terry Tull, is in guarded condition.
The 16-year-old driver of the Escalade was taken to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and later arrested, charged with third degree murder and other charges.
Mayor Nutter has ordered that all city flags be flown at half-staff for 30 days. The mayor says Governor Rendell has also ordered state flags lowered in her honor.
