Former ‘Hero’ Cop Faces Rape Charges

A former Philadelphia police officer once hailed as a hero and given a seat next to the first lady at a speech by President Obama has been arrested and charged with rape and other crimes.

Authorities allege that former officer Richard DeCoatsworth left a party with two females and took them to another location, where they allege he produced a handgun and forced them to use narcotics and engage in sexual acts.

A police spokeswoman said the victims called police and the 27-year-old DeCoatsworth was charged with rape, sexual assault, terroristic threats and related offences.

WCAU-TV, which first reported the arrest, said DeCoatsworth retired from the Philadelphia Police Department on disability in 2011.

DeCoatsworth had been honoured for valour after he chased down a man who shot him in the face with a shotgun during a  traffic stop in 2007.

Vice President Joe Biden invited DeCoatsworth to attend President Obama’s address to a joint session of Congress in February 2009, where he sat between Jill Biden and First Lady Michelle Obama.