Family, friends gather to celebrate Folcroft officer
FOLCROFT, Pa. (WPVI) -- Hundreds gathered Saturday to thank and celebrate Folcroft Police Officer Christopher Dorman, who took seven bullets protecting his tight-knit community.
There were cheers from the crowd where there could easily have been tears.
"I started crying. He's one of us," said Folcroft Mayor Bob Frey.
"I had heart failure. Right away I started thinking which one was it," said Janet Le of Folcroft.
For many, Dorman isn't just any cop.
He was born and raised in Folcroft, and has volunteered as a firefighter since he could drive.
Police say Dorman was ambushed responding to a call of drug activity.
He was flown to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center where he underwent surgeries for shots to his face, chest, leg and groin.
"He's alive. Doing terrific actually. He was up and walking today. He was joking," said George Dorman, Officer Dorman's father.
George Dorman says the bullet-proof vest saved his son's life.
He told the crowd, his son's a fighter, and is refusing all pain medication.
"If you saw his injuries, I'd be hitting that little red button every two seconds," said George Dorman. "He told hem take it away, I'm not going to do it."
Dorman released a video to Action News thanking those who saved him.
But his neighbors say they're the ones who should be doing the thanking to the man who nearly gave it all.
"Not just Chris, but every officer that puts their lives on the line everyday," said Le.
The man who allegedly shot Officer Dorman, and opened fire on a second officer, has been charged.
He has been identified as Donte Brooks Island, aka Abdul Wahi. He is charged with two counts of attempted murder, two counts of aggravated assault and related offenses.
He is being held on $1 million bail.
A GoFundMe page has been started for Officer Dorman. More than $13,000 has been raised so far.
