PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Deliberations are set to begin on Wednesday in the murder trial of two men accused of shooting and killing a Philadelphia police officer.

It has taken two years to get to this point, which has been difficult for the Philadelphia police community and the family of Sergeant Richard Mendez.

Now, a jury will decide the fate of two of the three men charged with Sgt. Mendez's murder.

Sgt. Mendez was an officer for 22 years, a husband and father of two.

His family and dozens of officers have been in court the past week for the murder trial.

The 50-year-old was shot to death on October 12, 2023 , while he was investigating a car break-in inside a parking garage at the Philadelphia International Airport, where he was assigned.

His 60-year-old partner, Raul Ortiz wa

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