Philly cop on video soliciting for fund-raiser at traffic stop

The 32-year-old officer, who is reportedly a nine-year veteran of the department, can be heard telling the unnamed driver, “You and your friend got any money to buy these thrill show tickets?”

As CBS 3’s Natasha Brown reports, the officer is allegedly seen pressuring a motorist whose auto is unregistered and would normally have been towed, to buy tickets to the yearly Hero Thrill Show, a fundraiser which benefits children of fallen police officers and firefighters.

Investigators would attempt to trace that information electronically, working off the Facebook page on which two brief videos, taped from within the vehicle, were posted.

Police Chief Charles Ramsey denounced the officer’s behavior and said the matter is under investigation. Zagursky was also heard on video making a homophobic remark while discussing pink windshield wipers on the auto. “That’s totally inappropriate, and it could very well be illegal”, Ramsey said. Zagursky asks. “You look like you’re a fruitcake, you know, what the hell?”

Philly.com, which carried a transcript of the exchange caught on video, reported that Commissioner Ramsey sent an email to all departments Friday to “ensure that no other officers pressure people to buy tickets to the October 10 fundraiser”.

“Breast cancer man”, the driver says.

Support cops like me. The police union said it couldn’t comment because its president was on vacation.

“Support cops like me that instead of taking your (expletive) you two walking”.

“We encourage the support of the police and fire hero thrill show”.

“Breast cancer, man – my grandma went through it”, the driver responds. “‘Cause it’s unregistered”.

“Anyone with any kind of clear thought at all would know that that’s just not good, it’s not what you do”, Ramsey said, adding that his actions have diminished the charity event. “You got any sweetheart?”

Later on, Zagursky asks the driver for $30, and the driver seems surprised, saying, “I don’t wanna take this guy”, about his passenger.

Cop (to passenger?): “You have any kids?”