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Since then, his widow, Maureen Faulkner, has steadfastly stood up for her husband’s memory and opposed efforts to make Abu-Jamal a cause celebre.
The slain officer was the youngest of five brothers - all of whom resided in Delaware County. Faulkner is buried in a Delaware County cemetery.
The Faulkners were married a year when he was killed Dec. 9, 1981.
On that date, Daniel Faulkner spotted Abu-Jamal’s brother, William Cook, driving the wrong way down a one-way street and pulled him over. A scuffle ensued and Abu-Jamal, who was sitting in his taxicab across the street, ran over. Prosecutors said Abu-Jamal drew his .38-caliber revolver and fired, hitting the officer in the back. Authorities said Faulkner turned and fired, hitting Abu-Jamal in the chest, and Abu-Jamal then shot Daniel Faulkner in the face.
Abu-Jamal has claimed he was shot by police as he ran to the scene.
A former radio journalist and Black Panther, Abu-Jamal has repeatedly maintained his innocence and numerous appeals have stalled his execution. He was convicted and sentenced to death in 1982.
His writings and taped speeches on the criminal justice system in America have made him a cause celebre among Hollywood movie celebrities, foreign politicians and death penalty opponents who believe he was the victim of a racist justice system.
Officer Faulkner is also survived by two brothers, Pat, 55, of Ridley Park, and Larry, 58, of Upper Darby.
Ken Faulkner, who heartily supported efforts on his slain brother’s behalf, died two years ago.
On Wednesday, U.S. House members passed a resolution 368-31 denouncing a French city, St. Denis, a suburb of Paris, for naming a street in honor of the cop-killer.
Mike Fitzpatrick, R-Philadelphia, who authored the resolution, said, "We must stand together and send a strong message to the world that cop-killers deserve to be punished, not to be celebrated."
In December 2001, a federal judge overturned Abu-Jamal’s death sentence, but upheld his conviction. Both sides appealed the ruling.
Last year, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals agreed to consider the appeal of his conviction.
"It’s a disgrace," said Pat Faulkner of Ridley Park. "It’s still sad for all the cops there that have to go out to work.
"He’s not really being punished, although he’s still in jail."
A memorial Mass will be held today in South Philadelphia and the family will attend a private Mass elsewhere, he said.
"As long as Abu-Jamal is alive, she’ll fight for justice until the end - not just justice for Danny, but for all police officers," Pat said.
"I have no respect for any of the (Abu-Jamal) supporters because they don’t even know who Danny was or who Abu-Jamal was," he said. "He’s just a poster boy against the death penalty; they have to have somebody. It’s sad."
A section of Roosevelt Boulevard (U.S. Route 1) in Northeast Philadelphia is named the Officer Daniel Faulkner Memorial Highway.
