Benefit to honor injured Delaware County officer

A Delaware County police officer nearly crushed by a car driven by a fleeing drug suspect in February is recovering well and will be honored Saturday by fellow officers and friends.

Clifton Heights Officer Kevin Schieler, 26, and his family will arrive via limousine, escorted by police units and serenaded by bagpipes, to a benefit beef-and-beer in his honor.

Tickets for Saturday's event sold out in five days. More than 500 supporters are expected to attend, said Chief Walter Senkow, of Clifton Heights.

"To see him today compared to what he was like months ago is like day and night," Senkow said, adding that Schieler couldn't wait to get back to duty. "He is special to the Clifton Heights community because he is from the town."

There will be a few surprises for the injured officer, Senkow said, and the Irish band Blackthorne will perform.

Schieler, who is a full-time officer with Chester City in addition to his part-time duty with Clifton Heights, was not available for comment.

On Feb. 18, Schieler received a report of a suspected drug deal. He pulled over a black Cadillac driven by Terry Terreel Davis, 20, of Philadelphia. Schieler got out of his cruiser and asked for Davis' license and registration. While Schieler's arm was inside the car, Davis took off, dragging the officer with him.

Davis swerved into a parked car, pinning the officer. Davis then took off running and was captured by Sgt. James McCaughan of the Lansdowne Police Department, who was backing up the call.

Schieler was taken to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, with fractured a foot, femur, pelvis, collarbone, and two vertebrae in his back. He broke all the ribs on one side, punctured a lung, and had excess fluid around his heart. He underwent surgery that night.

Schieler was hospitalized for about a month and spent time at Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital recovering, Senkow said.

"He's been walking with a cane," said Senkow, who characterized Schieler's recovery as "progressing extremely well."

Dozens of blue plastic bags filled with heroin were found in Davis' car. They were stamped with the logo "Venom in the Blood."

Davis is charged with attempted first-degree murder, aggravated assault, resisting arrest, reckless endangerment, and drug crimes. He is being held at the Delaware County prison pending trial, which is scheduled for next week.

This is the second benefit for Schieler. A similar event in the spring, held by the Chester Police Department, raised approximately $18,000 that went to defray medical expenses and costs associated with retrofitting Schieler's house to accommodate a wheelchair.

Donations to the Officer Kevin Schieler Recovery Fund are still being accepted at the Beneficial Bank in Clifton Heights and at the Clifton Heights Police Department, 30 S. Springfield Rd.