Richard Costello
Encyclopedia
Captain Richard Barry Costello (born April 4, 1951) is a 34 year Philadelphia police veteran and the former President of the Philadelphia Lodge of the FOP
. He is currently challenging incumbent John Perzel in Pennsylvania
's 172nd Legislative District in Northeast Philadelphia
.
followed by St. Joseph's University. Costello earned his Bachelor's Degree
in Political Science
, graduating cum laude in May 1973.
section of Philadelphia. Fifteen minutes later Costello was driving his patrol car east on Cumberland St past the intersection of 32nd St when, without warning, a gunman opened fire from the sidewalk. Costello was struck twice in the head with one bullet remaining permanently lodged behind his right ear.
Costello survived and spent two years recovering from his wounds but was able to successfully rejoin the force.
Both the diligent police response and public outcry kept Costello's case in the headlines. Despite a $10,000 reward from the FOP and a $5,000 reward from the Philadelphia Daily News
no one came forward with information and the case remains unsolved.
Dr. Charles Kravitz was the director of American Health Programs (AHP) which was given contracts by the FOP. Kravitz had been bribing top FOP officials to continue contracting out business to his company. After the scandal was uncovered Kravitz was charged and sentenced to Federal prison.
Having established himself as a credible reformer, Costello was made Recording Secretary in 1984- a position he held until 1988. In October 1988 Bob Hurst stepped down as President and Costello was elected to his first term as FOP president which lasted until 1990. After this he served as Chairman of Law Enforcement Health Benefits until 1994, when he was elected to his second term as FOP president.
In 2002 after 8 more years as president of the FOP
Costello decided not to seek re-election, citing his desire to allow a new generation to move up. He was succeeded by Robert Eddis in October 2002.
Richard Costello's loyalty to individual police officers was known, and admired, by members of the Philadelphia Police Department. Through arguing the position of the individual police officer and never compromising the values they stood for, Costello was able to serve the City of Philadelphia as President of the Fraternal Order of Police.
and his supporters. Abu-Jamal was convicted of the 1981 murder of officer Daniel Faulkner
. This has led Costello to be featured on radio programs such as Michael Smerconish
's as well as televised debates. Known for his extemporaneous speech, during one televised debate he made use of a Bible passage to describe Abu-Jamal as "a liar, the father of lies, and a murderer from the beginning."
Maureen Faulkner, the wife of the fallen officer, described Costello as "a cop who took a bullet in the head and cowers in front of no one" in her book Murdered By Mumia (cowritten by Smerconish).
. Costello cited Perzel's many corruption scandals and his refusal to address the problems the Northeast faces with drugs and gun crime as his primary motivation for running. Perzel is heavily backed by the NRA and has refused to enact regulations on guns consistent with the City's upsurge in violence.
Costello handily won the Democratic Primary against challenger Tim Kearney. Kearney had previously challenged Perzel in 2004 and 2006.
FOP
Formatting Objects Processor is a Java application that converts XSL Formatting Objects files to PDF or other printable formats.FOP was originally developed by James Tauber who donated it to the Apache Software Foundation in 1999...
. He is currently challenging incumbent John Perzel in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
's 172nd Legislative District in Northeast Philadelphia
Northeast Philadelphia
Northeast Philadelphia, nicknamed Northeast Philly, the Northeast and the Great Northeast, is a section of the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. According to the 2000 Census, the Northeast has a sizable percentage of the city's 1.547 million people — a population of between 300,000 and 450,000,...
.
Early years
Rich Costello was born in Northeast Philadelphia to an Irish-Catholic family. He attended Holy Ghost Preparatory SchoolHoly Ghost Preparatory School
Holy Ghost Preparatory School is a private, college preparatory school for young men in Cornwells Heights, Bensalem, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1897 by the Spiritan missionaries, it is also a Catholic school....
followed by St. Joseph's University. Costello earned his Bachelor's Degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
in Political Science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
, graduating cum laude in May 1973.
Police service
Following graduation Costello joined the Philadelphia Police Academy and graduated in September 1973.Shot in the line of duty
On the night of December 11, 1973 Costello dropped his partner off at 7:30 PM to guard the Faith Baptist Church in the Strawberry MansionStrawberry Mansion
Strawberry Mansion could refer to:*Historic Strawberry Mansion, historic house in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania*Nannie Lee House, historic house in Melbourne, Florida - also known as the Strawberry Mansion...
section of Philadelphia. Fifteen minutes later Costello was driving his patrol car east on Cumberland St past the intersection of 32nd St when, without warning, a gunman opened fire from the sidewalk. Costello was struck twice in the head with one bullet remaining permanently lodged behind his right ear.
Costello survived and spent two years recovering from his wounds but was able to successfully rejoin the force.
Both the diligent police response and public outcry kept Costello's case in the headlines. Despite a $10,000 reward from the FOP and a $5,000 reward from the Philadelphia Daily News
Philadelphia Daily News
The Philadelphia Daily News is a tabloid newspaper that serves Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. The newspaper is owned by Philadelphia Media Holdings which also owns Philadelphia's other major newspaper The Philadelphia Inquirer. The Daily News began publishing on March 31, 1925, under...
no one came forward with information and the case remains unsolved.
Rise in the FOP
In 1978 Costello joined the FOP as Unit Director after perceiving wrong doing in the Union's health care benefits sector. After rising to Assistant Administrator of First Dental & Prescription Plan in 1982, Costello uncovered the Kravitz Corruption Scandal.Dr. Charles Kravitz was the director of American Health Programs (AHP) which was given contracts by the FOP. Kravitz had been bribing top FOP officials to continue contracting out business to his company. After the scandal was uncovered Kravitz was charged and sentenced to Federal prison.
Having established himself as a credible reformer, Costello was made Recording Secretary in 1984- a position he held until 1988. In October 1988 Bob Hurst stepped down as President and Costello was elected to his first term as FOP president which lasted until 1990. After this he served as Chairman of Law Enforcement Health Benefits until 1994, when he was elected to his second term as FOP president.
In 2002 after 8 more years as president of the FOP
FOP
Formatting Objects Processor is a Java application that converts XSL Formatting Objects files to PDF or other printable formats.FOP was originally developed by James Tauber who donated it to the Apache Software Foundation in 1999...
Costello decided not to seek re-election, citing his desire to allow a new generation to move up. He was succeeded by Robert Eddis in October 2002.
Richard Costello's loyalty to individual police officers was known, and admired, by members of the Philadelphia Police Department. Through arguing the position of the individual police officer and never compromising the values they stood for, Costello was able to serve the City of Philadelphia as President of the Fraternal Order of Police.
Abu-Jamal criticism
During his tenure as FOP President Costello was an outspoken critic of Mumia Abu-JamalMumia Abu-Jamal
Mumia Abu-Jamal was convicted of the 1981 murder of Philadelphia police officer Daniel Faulkner and sentenced to death. He has been described as "perhaps the world's best known death-row inmate", and his sentence is one of the most debated today...
and his supporters. Abu-Jamal was convicted of the 1981 murder of officer Daniel Faulkner
Daniel Faulkner
Daniel J. Faulkner was a police officer in the American city of Philadelphia who was shot and killed in the line of duty. Mumia Abu-Jamal was convicted of first-degree murder for the shooting and sentenced to death...
. This has led Costello to be featured on radio programs such as Michael Smerconish
Michael Smerconish
Michael A. Smerconish is an American radio and television personality, newspaper columnist, author and MSNBC Political Analyst. His talk radio show is based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at The Big Talker 1210 AM WPHT. He began his full time radio career in 2002...
's as well as televised debates. Known for his extemporaneous speech, during one televised debate he made use of a Bible passage to describe Abu-Jamal as "a liar, the father of lies, and a murderer from the beginning."
Maureen Faulkner, the wife of the fallen officer, described Costello as "a cop who took a bullet in the head and cowers in front of no one" in her book Murdered By Mumia (cowritten by Smerconish).
2008 primary
In January 2008 Costello decided to challenge long-time Philadelphia Republican Boss, and former House Speaker, John M. PerzelJohn M. Perzel
John Michael Perzel is an American politician and member of the Republican Party. Perzel represented 172nd Legislative District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1978 until 2010. From April 2003 to January 2007, he served as House Speaker...
. Costello cited Perzel's many corruption scandals and his refusal to address the problems the Northeast faces with drugs and gun crime as his primary motivation for running. Perzel is heavily backed by the NRA and has refused to enact regulations on guns consistent with the City's upsurge in violence.
Costello handily won the Democratic Primary against challenger Tim Kearney. Kearney had previously challenged Perzel in 2004 and 2006.