Police Step Up Hunt Cassidy's Killer; Believe Suspect Used Mom's Gun in Slaying

Nov 04, 04:13 PM

Current Headlines: By Barbara Boyer, Jan Hefler and Andrew Maykuth, The Philadelphia Inquirer

Nov. 4--Energized investigators stepped up their hunt this afternoon for 21-year-old John Lewis Jordan, the "armed and dangerous" suspect wanted in the slaying of Officer Chuck Cassidy.

Police said Jordan's mother, Lynn Dyches, is a correctional officer for the Philadelphia Prison System. They believe he used his mother's personal 9mm semiautomatic to fatally shoot Cassidy on Wednesday during an armed robbery at a Dunkin' Donuts. Police have not recovered the weapon.

Jordan is also believed to have at least one other gun: Cassidy's service pistol, taken from the officer's side as he lay dying.

"He is armed and extremely dangerous," Police Commissioner Sylvester M. Johnson said at a news conference this morning. "John, if you're listening to us, please turn yourself in."

The suspect's family pleaded through the media for him to surrender.

"John, this is Big Mama. I love you. We want you safe," Vernetha Glover Henry, Jordan's grandmother, said outside her Roosevelt Boulevard home near Hunting Park.

A warrant for Jordan's arrest was issued early today after police said they received several productive tips last night. The suspect, who is known to frequent North Philadelphia and the lower Northeast, also goes by the name Lewis Jordan.

Police asked the public not to approach the suspect, but to call their hotline: 215-683-8888. There is a $153,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of Cassidy's killer.

Jordan is described as 6 feet, 2 inches tall and 270 pounds, a black man with a medium complexion, short cropped hair, and scruffy facial hair. He has a stocky build and a distinctive gait.

Police said Jordan has two tattoos: the initials "HP," for Hunting Park, on his right hand; and the initials "NP" for North Philly, on his left hand. The suspect does not have a spider web tattoo, as authorities initially announced.

Police said Jordan's mother is a correctional officer for the Philadelphia Prison System. They believe he used his mother's 9mm semiautomatic to kill Cassidy.

Cassidy was shot Wednesday morning after he walked into the Dunkin' Donuts at 6620 N. Broad St. as an armed robbery was taking place. Police said the suspect turned and fired at the officer, whose gun was drawn, striking him once in the head.

Before running away, the suspect stooped to pick up Cassidy's 9 mm Glock service pistol.

Cassidy died the next day.

Jordan's relatives have cooperated with authorities, Johnson said, and are concerned about his safety.

Police are concerned because they said the suspect appears to have no fear of pulling the trigger -- and his arrest might endanger other officers or the public.

"This male has no hesitation in shooting a person," said Johnson. "If he can shoot a person in uniform as he's coming into a restaurant, coming into a Dunkin' Donuts place, he's liable to shoot anybody."

Said Johnson: "We're begging him. We're pleading for him to turn himself in before anyone else is hurt in the city of Philadelphia."

Jordan, an Olney High School dropout, was arrested before, but not for violent crimes.

In 2005, he was arrested and charged with possession of drugs and possession with intent to distribute. He was placed in a treatment program, which he completed in February.

Four months later, Jordan was arrested again on drug charges. That case is still pending.

The announcement of an arrest warrant lifted the spirits of weary investigators, who had worked nonstop for five days.

Last night, authorities searched homes of Jordan's mother and grandmother on Roosevelt Boulevard, about three miles from the West Oak Lane doughnut shop. They they have also sent out flash information in the 7500 block of Frankford Avenue.

"We will continue to work around the clock until this person is in custody," Johnson said.

The suspect's mother, Glover Henry, called Jordan "a teddy bear." She said she last spoke by telephone with her grandson on Friday. She said she did not know at that time that he had any connection to Cassidy's shooting

She and other relatives said Jordan is the only son of Lynn Dyches, a corrections officer, and has two younger sisters. Jordan is not married and has a three-month-old daughter, Natasha. He went to Olney High School, dropped out, and is currently taking GED classes.

His grandmother said Jordan is one of 32 grandchildren who frequently would stop at her house for a meal, or for "safe haven," a place to spend the night, or a few weeks. She last saw him a week ago when she took him to Foreman Mills, on Rising Sun and Adams avenues, to apply for a job.

Glover Henry, 57, a retired city highway department road crew chief, said she does not believe her grandson is a killer.

"I don't know what would make him do something like that, what would set him off. I don't think my baby did this," she said.

She pleaded for him to call her.

"John ... find a way to contact me so I can get your some help. I don't want you to get hurt. I love you, we all love you."

Services for Officer Cassidy

Family and friends of Officer Chuck Cassidy may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the John F. Givnish Funeral Home, 10975 Academy Rd. in the Northeast. Overflow parking will be available at Archbishop Ryan High School, 11201 Academy Rd., and shuttle transportation will be provided by the Philadelphia Police Department.

A viewing before the funeral will start at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul in Center City, where a Funeral Mass will be said at noon.

Burial will follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Cheltenham.

Contact staff writer Andrew Maykuth at 215-854-2947 or amaykuth@phillynews.com.

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