Daniel Faulkner had settled down with his wife Maureen in Philadelphia and had recently earned his badge. On December 9, 1981, Faulkner had pulled over William Cook, the brother of Mumia Abu-Jamal (né Wesley Cook), when he was shot five times. He was pronounced dead the same night.
Mumia Abu-Jamal was immediately charged with the murder. Although he was convicted of Faulkner's murder in 1982, his guilt is still the subject of great controversy. See Mumia Abu-Jamal for more details on the case and associated protest movement.