Arrest in stabbing of retired police officer

A 31-year-old man has been charged with aggravated assault and other offenses in the stabbing of a recently retired police officer in Port Richmond this week, authorities said Wednesday.

Joseph Fitzgerald is accused of stabbing George Orth in the chest about 2 a.m. Monday while in the victim's home on the 3000 block of Salmon Street. Police had no motive for the attack, which happened after both men left a neighborhood bar.

Investigators arrested Fitzgerald, who also lives in Port Richmond, on Tuesday, and he was arraigned early Wednesday. Bail was set at $400,000.

Orth, who retired in March after 24 years on the force, was not available for comment Wednesday.

One of Fitzgerald's neighbors on the 3300 block of Belgrade Street described him as a solitary man who would often sit on the front porch smoking cigarettes.

Fitzgerald's next court date was set for Sept. 4.