As Convicted Cop Killer Gives Controversial Commencement Address, Police Make Their Feelings Known Without Uttering One Word

At the same time a convicted cop killer gave a controversial college commencement address by video Sunday, scores of Philadelphia officers gathered at the murder site of Officer Daniel Faulkner and needed no words to make their feelings clear.

Silent vigil for slain Phila Police Ofc Daniel Faulkner murdered 1981. #MumiaAbuJamal speaking @ VT college via video pic.twitter.com/j4JY1Pcrnf

— Kenneth Moton (@KennethMoton) October 5, 2014

While Mumia Abu-Jamal, a former death row inmate imprisoned for Faulkner's 1981 murder, encouraged the 20 gathered graduates of Goddard College to "think about the myriad of problems that beset this land and strive to make it better," police held a silent vigil honoring Faulkner as well as his widow.

#NOW: @PhillyPolice and the #FOP gathering for vigil honoring Maureen/Dan Faulkner. #Mumia speaking now. @CBSPhilly pic.twitter.com/On12YRce5p

— Steve Patterson (@PattersonCBS3) October 5, 2014

The choice of Abu-Jamal to give the prerecorded address to the school in Plainfield, Vermont, angered police and politicians far and wide. Abu-Jamal was initially sentenced to death for Faulkner's murder but re-sentenced to life in 2012.

Faulkner's widow had some pointed words for Goddard: “Shame on them," she told WCAU-TV.

“The only thing I would want to hear from Mumia Abu-Jamal is him admitting and confessing to my husband’s murder,” Maureen Faulkner told the station, adding that Goddard "could have another commencement speaker that would give these students wisdom before they start out in life.”

Widow of deceased @PhillyPolice officer Daniel Faulkner speaks on Mumia graduation speech: https://t.co/QABDFLS4NA pic.twitter.com/3HhpReoENc

— NBC10 Philadelphia (@NBCPhiladelphia) October 5, 2014

The college's Interim President held a different viewpoint. “Choosing Mumia as their commencement speaker, to me, shows how this newest group of Goddard graduates expresses their freedom to engage and think radically and critically in a world that often sets up barriers to do just that,” Bob Kenny said in a statement.

Sentiment from #Philly. Meanwhile, #MumiaAbuJamal speaking at a Vermont college. Silence for 17 mins. @CBSPhilly pic.twitter.com/vWbeAnCYxd

— Steve Patterson (@PattersonCBS3) October 5, 2014

Here's a report on the vigil:

FOX 29 News Philadelphia | WTXF-TV

This story has been updated with video.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

(H/T: Twitchy)