The death of another police officer makes headlines this week, but in a different light. Police Officer Lauretha Vaird was shot and killed by the golden-age Philadelphia rapper Christopher Roney, commonly known as Cool C. On January 8th, the pioneer of the rap scene is set to be executed by lethal injection, as a result of his 1996 conviction on charges of first degree murder. The shooting occurred in January of 1996, when Roney and two other men attempted to rob a Philly PNC Bank. Vaird was shot upon arrival, making her the first officer killed responding to a call in Philadelphia’s history.
The 45 year old MC emerged in the late eighties, when he first stepped on to the scene with his Hilltop Hustlers crew. Cool C gained notoriety with Juice Crew Dis, a track that challenged MC Shan, a well respected name in hip hop at the time. Soon after, Cool C landed a deal with Atlantic Records and released his signature cut, The Glamorous Life. Tomorrow, Cool C will experience a life far from glamorous.