Daniel Faulkner
Daniel J. Faulkner (December 21, 1955 – December 9, 1981) was a Philadelphia police officer who was murdered in the line of duty by Mumia Abu-Jamal. The arrest and conviction of Abu-Jamal, a member of the Black Panther Party and MOVE, led to a decades-long controversy.
Daniel Faulkner had settled down with his wife Maureen in Philadelphia and had been serving with the Philadelphia Police Department for five years. On December 9, 1981, Faulkner had pulled over William (Wesley) Cook, the brother of Abu-Jamal (né Wesley Cook). While Faulkner attempted to arrest Cook, Abu-Jamal arrived and shot Faulkner five times. Officer Faulkner returned fire, wounding Abu-Jamal in the chest. Abu-Jamal was taken into custody by other officers after he collapsed nearby. Daniel Faulkner was pronounced dead the same night.
Abu-Jamal was immediately charged with the murder. Although he was convicted of Faulkner's murder in 1982, his guilt is still the subject of great controversy. Abu-Jamal supporters have proposed an alternative theory for Faulkner's death based on the involvement of a third suspect who shot and killed Faulkner. While unverified, this theory is supported by the confession of Arnold Beverley who claims that he was the shooter that killed Faulkner. See Mumia Abu-Jamal for more details on the case, alternative theories and associated protest movements.
The Daniel Faulkner Memorial Highway is a section of U.S. Highway 1 that passes through Northeast Philadelphia.