Captured, he confesses

Philadelphia Chief of Detectives Keith Sadler called Timoney on Monday to ask for his help. So did Greg Singleton, the homicide detective responsible for the investigation.

Timoney immediately pulled together a task force in Miami and reached out to local television stations to air the suspect's image every half-hour.

Lewis was in custody in less than 24 hours.

For elated Philadelphia police officers, who had searched for the suspect around the clock, the news was welcome.

"This is the happiest sad day that I've had in a long time," said Sgt. Tim Cooney, a member of the Philadelphia task force created to catch Cassidy's killer.

"We worked long and hard on this," Cooney said, saying the homicide task force had worked closely with officers in the 35th District, where Cassidy worked, and North Division Detectives.

Singleton said exhausted investigators could finally take a break.

"I felt relieved that this guy was caught and we can finally put this thing to rest," he said.

Services Today for Officer Cassidy

A public viewing will begin at 7:30 a.m. inside the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, 18th and Race Streets, where a Funeral Mass will be said at noon.

The cathedral seats about 1,500. The archdiocese will provide live, streaming video of the viewing and Funeral Mass at www.archphila.org. Both events will also be screened on closed-circuit televisions inside the cathedral chapel and on a Jumbotron screen on 18th Street across from the cathedral.

Burial will follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Cheltenham Avenue and Easton Road, Cheltenham.

Go to for coverage of today's service for slain Officer Chuck Cassidy, along with photos from last night's viewing and other developments.

at 215-854-2947 or amaykuth@phillynews.com.

Contributing to this article were Inquirer staff writers Michael Matza, Robert Moran, Dwight Ott and John Shiffman.