Folcroft, Pennsylvania: Police Officer Shot Multiple Times In Delaware County, Suspect In Custody
A Folcroft, Pennsylvania, police officer was shot multiple times, according to law enforcement officials in Delaware County. Authorities said the shooting took place on Monday morning near the intersection of Glen and Folcroft Avenues, where officer Chris Dorman was conducting an investigation into suspected drug activity.
Delaware County officials confirmed the Folcroft, Pennsylvania, officer is a 25-year-old male who joined the force in 2015.
NBC Philadelphia reports Chris Dorman was dispatched to the Folcroft Station Apartments to investigate reports of people standing around outside smoking marijuana. When he approached the suspects, one of the men opened fire and shot the officer in the face, neck, and shoulder.
CBS Philadelphia reports the officer was initially rushed to Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital. However, he was later transported to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center via helicopter.
Primos Ave. in #Folcroft has become a police parking lot over @SEPTA line where service is suspended pic.twitter.com/ijJyqnRWem
— Rick Kauffman (@Kauffee_DT) June 24, 2016
According to the latest reports, the officer is currently listed in “critical but stable condition.” Folcroft police Chief Robert Ruskowski confirmed Chris Dorman’s life was saved by his bulletproof vest.
SWAT Police Bearcat approaching scene with dozens of officers in full body gear and assault rifles #folcroft pic.twitter.com/DjFukyLo3J
— Rick Kauffman (@Kauffee_DT) June 24, 2016
Amid their search for the suspect, officials ordered the temporary closure of Folcroft Borough Hall and have suspended Amtrak and SEPTA services. CBS Philly reports commuters are being told to expect “delays of up to 30 minutes in both directions” on the SEPTA line. Amtrak confirmed service was suspended between Philadelphia and Wilmington.
As reported by the Law Enforcement Officers’ Memorial Fund, nearly 21,000 law enforcement officers have been killed in the line of duty since 1791. In the last decade, more than 1,400 officers were killed in the line of duty, with an average of 144 per year.
The recorded fatalities are only part of the story. In 2014 alone, nearly 14,000 law enforcement officers were physically injured in the line of duty.
Although many law enforcement officers are killed in auto accidents, a majority are shot by civilians. Of the 117 officers killed nationwide in 2014, 48 were shot and killed by suspects. In nearly 70 percent of those cases, the officers were wearing some form of body armor.
In the last three weeks, nine United States law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty. The fallen officers include Winnsboro Police Department Sergeant Derrick Mingo, Memphis Police Officer Verdell Smith, New Orleans Police Officer Natasha Hunter, DHS Deportation Officer Brian Beliso, Pearland Police Department Officer Endy Ekpanya, San Jose Police Department Officer Michael Katherman, Jackson County Deputy Sheriff Zachary Larnerd, Patton Village Police Department Sergeant Stacey Baumgartner, and Jefferson Parish Officer David F. Michel, Jr.
Chief Robert Ruskowski said doctors Chris Dorman would have been killed if he was not wearing a bulletproof vest. Ruskowski said he believes several bullets were stopped by Dorman’s body armor.
Authorities in Delaware County confirmed a suspect in the Folcroft, Pennsylvania, police officer’s shooting is currently being detained. However, they have not released the suspect’s name. It is also unclear whether the person arrested is the only suspect or person of interest in the devastating shooting.
Through their Facebook page, Folcroft Borough asked for continued prayers for Officer Dorman, who remains hospitalized in critical, but stable, condition at this time. Borough representatives also thanked all law enforcement agencies involved for finding and arresting the suspect without further incident.
Although he is currently hospitalized, Chris Dorman survived the harrowing experience and is currently stable. Although authorities asked the public to give the Folcroft police officer’s family some privacy, they have asked for prayers and well wishes for their colleague.
