Crawford v. Philadelphia

Opinion by Mr. Justice Musmanno,

On December 29, 1954, the City Council of Philadelphia enacted an ordinance providing for payment, in $200 monthly installments, of $10,000 to widows or dependent children or parents of firemen and policemen killed in line of duty or in the performance of an “heroic deed which involves a special hazard or risk.” (Code of General Ordinances of the City of Philadelphia, §21-105, pages 770-771).

On December 23, 1955, Robert J. Crawford, a Philadelphia fireman, lost his life while engaged in fighting a fire. His widow, Mrs. Edna Mae Crawford, applied for benefits…