On September\u202f3, 2016, 29\u2011year\u2011old Joshlee Vadell \u2014 a veteran officer with the Atlantic City Police Department \u2014 responded to an armed robbery outside the parking garage of\u00a0Caesars Atlantic City<\/span><\/span>. As he exited his patrol car, a suspect opened fire. Vadell was struck in the head.<\/p>\n His partner returned fire. The police wounded one suspect, later identified as Jerome Damon, 25, who died a short distance away. Two other men \u2014 Martell Chisholm and Demetrius Cross \u2014 were arrested soon after.<\/p>\n Vadell suffered a gunshot wound to the right side of his brain. He underwent emergency surgery and remained in critical condition.<\/p>\n Twelve days later, on September\u202f15, 2016, he left the hospital. As he was wheeled out, dozens of officers and emergency workers applauded. Vadell gave them a thumbs\u2011up. He was transferred to a rehabilitation center.<\/p>\n Just over a week after the shooting, his wife gave birth to their third daughter.<\/p>\n During rehabilitation, Vadell took his first steps \u2014 a small but powerful sign of recovery.<\/p>\n On September 6, 2016, the two accused \u2014 Chisholm and Cross \u2014 made their first court appearance. The courtroom overflowed. Dozens of current and retired officers filled the gallery. They came to show solidarity for their wounded colleague.<\/p>\n Both men were charged with first\u2011degree attempted murder, armed robbery, and related offenses. Each was held on $750,000 bail.<\/p>\n After the shooting, Vadell devoted himself to rehab. He eventually retired from the force.<\/p>\n Members of the law\u2011enforcement community recognized both Vadell and the partner who returned fire \u2014 Thomas McCabe \u2014 for their actions.<\/p>\n The incident and its aftermath underscore the risks officers face in the line of duty \u2014 and the solidarity within the law\u2011enforcement community when tragedy strikes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Officer Shot Responding to Casino Robbery On September\u202f3, 2016, 29\u2011year\u2011old Joshlee Vadell \u2014 a veteran officer with the Atlantic City Police Department \u2014 responded to an armed… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":49198,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-49197","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\nCritical Injury and Recovery<\/h2>\n
Court Appearance and Defendants<\/h2>\n
Aftermath and Long Road Ahead<\/h2>\n