Avraham MacConnell, 72, Philadelphia Police Officer Who Went Undercover To Stop Child Abuse
(JTA) — (Jewish Exponent via JTA) — Avraham MacConnell served in the Vietnam War from 1967 to 1969 and became a Philadelphia police officer when he returned from military service. He worked as a detective in the sex crimes unit of the Juvenile Aid Division and received a commendation for going undercover to expose a youth detention center abuse ring.
He converted from Protestantism to Judaism in 1982 and retired from the police force to become a financial analyst in 1987.
His son, Edward, said he enjoyed working with people and cultivated strong relationships with his clients.
“He cared about people a lot,” he said. “Even when he stopped talking regularly to them, he would reach out to them. He was very personable and outgoing and friendly. He loved talking to people, and he loved hearing their stories.”
MacConnell lived an active lifestyle and enjoyed skiing and golf before a stroke in 2012 limited his mobility.
His daughter-in-law, Kathleen, remembered his generous spirit.
“He liked to help anyone he could,” she said.
MacConnell became ill with coronavirus while staying at Leisure Chateau Rehabilitation in Lakewood, New Jersey, and died at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. He had lived at Lakewood Courtyard, an assisted living facility.
“Everybody there really liked him,” Edward MacConnell said. “Even after he passed, I got calls from the staff saying how much they liked working with him.”
MacConnell died of complications from COVID-19 on May 11. He was 72.
He visited Israel many times and wanted to be buried there. His son arranged for the safe transport of his remains to the Eretz HaChaim cemetery in Jerusalem.
This article was originally published in the Jewish Exponent as part of its COVID-19 obituary coverage.
The post Avraham MacConnell, 72, Philadelphia police officer who went undercover to stop child abuse appeared first on Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
This is a moment of great uncertainty. Here’s what you can do about it.
We hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, we’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s independent Jewish news this Passover. All donations are being matched by the Forward Board - up to $100,000.
This is a moment of great uncertainty for the news media, for the Jewish people, and for our sacred democracy. It is a time of confusion and declining trust in public institutions. An era in which we need humans to report facts, conduct investigations that hold power to account, tell stories that matter and share honest discourse on all that divides us.
With no paywall or subscriptions, the Forward is entirely supported by readers like you. Every dollar you give this Passover is invested in the future of the Forward — and telling the American Jewish story fully and fairly.
The Forward doesn’t rely on funding from institutions like governments or your local Jewish federation. There are thousands of readers like you who give us $18 or $36 or $100 each month or year.
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
