Benefit held for Sgt. Stephen Liczbinski

Morgan A. Zalot | Northeast News Gleaner

Officer Kathleen DeNofa of Philadelphia’s 24th Police District wasn’t surprised at all when scores of people poured into Cannstatter’s for Saturday evening’s benefit for Sgt. Stephen Liczbinski, the officer killed in the line of duty May 3.

 

The proceeds of the event – from ticket sales, a silent auction and raffle baskets – will all go straight to Liczbinski’s family. He is survived by a wife and three children.

 

“This is what we do,” explained DeNofa, who organized the event. “We take care of the community, but we also take care of each other. Not one fallen police officer is ever forgotten.”

 

DeNofa worked in the 24th District with Liczbinski during the seven months before his death. He was a newly promoted sergeant after working in South Philadelphia for 12 years, she said.

 

Among supporters present at the benefit were the families of Officer Charles Cassidy, who was killed in the line of duty last October and Officer Gary Skerski, who was also killed in the line of duty in May 2006.

 

“It’s nice to know everybody’s going to help support my mom,” said Matt Liczbinski, 24, Sgt. Liczbinski’s oldest son. “We’ve had unbelievable support from everyone, [especially] the police officers from the 24th.”

 

Matt Liczbinski said that he recently had his own son, and that his sister celebrated her Sweet 16 on Friday.

 

“Everybody [in the family] is doing as well as they’re going to,” he said. “I just want to thank everyone [for their support].”

 

“It was only seven months, but he left an indelible mark on us. We’re all better police officers because of him.”

 

Police commissioner Charles Ramsey and deputy commissioner Richard Ross also attended the benefit.

 

“The sergeant was one of ours,” said Ross. “We always make a point to support our own.”

 

Ramsey said that he wanted to support Liczbinski’s family and the men and women of the department.

 

He pointed out Liczbinski was the first police officer killed in the line of duty since he started his work as commissioner in Philadelphia.

 

“That’s something I’ll never forget,” he said.

 

The big turnout of the event didn’t surprise him, Ramsey said.

 

“This city really takes care of police officers,” he said. “It happened [in Chicago and Washington, D.C.] but nothing on the scale of this.”

 

Many police officers, mostly from Liczbinski’s own 24th District, worked as staff at the event. Among them was Anthony Keitt, a veteran police officer who has worked the district for 23 years.

 

As he sold raffle tickets for baskets inside Cannstatter’s, Keitt explained that though police officers all stick together, Liczbinski would be surprised at everything done in his honor.

 

“He was a down to earth guy,” Keitt reminisced. He said that giving his time to support the family was nothing to him, and that he would be there again the following day if need be.

 

“I just hope we don’t have to do many of these things,” he said. “I hope they’re few and far between.”

 

Kim Sytsma of Mayfair’s husband worked with Liczbinski in the 24th District. She said she attended the event with her family to show their support.

 

Retired Philadelphia Police Officer Dennis Hill of the city’s Bustleton section also attended. He knew Skerski and Cassidy personally and came to support Liczbinski’s family.

 

“You have to take care of your own,” he said.

 

Many local businesses donated food, supplies and gifts for the benefit. Some of the donators included Coca-cola, Pepsi, Aramark, Home Depot, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Texas Roadhouse, Wawa, Amoroso, Red Bull, Clement & Muller Inc. and multiple bars throughout Northeast and South Philadelphia.

 

Guest Joe Grossman, whose stepson is an officer in the 24th District said he was impressed by the turnout and the business support.

 

The event featured an open bar, live music and the opportunity for guests to win silent auction and raffle prizes.

 

Guests could also purchase T-shirts with a clear message – ‘Never forgotten.’

 

“He was the epitome of what a supervisor should be, a police officer should be and a human being should be,” said DeNofa. “It was only seven months, but he left an indelible mark on us. We’re all better police officers because of him.”