State police honor 2 troopers for heroism during confrontation with armed suspect in Aliquippa
MONACA, Pa. (KDKA) — Two state troopers were honored for their heroism in the line of duty after one of them was shot in the leg trying to subdue a suspect inside a Beaver County convenience store last year.
Pennsylvania State Police honored Troopers Jonnie Schooley III and Shawn Palmer, both of Troop D in Beaver County, with Commendation Medals on Thursday for their actions on July 29, 2022, at a convenience store in Aliquippa.
Police said Schooley and Palmer were on patrol along Franklin Avenue when they saw 41-year-old Damian Bradford pull out a gun and confront people outside the Franklin Mini-Mart. Troopers approached him before he ran into the store.
Police said the two troopers confronted Bradford inside the store and during a struggle, he grabbed a gun. Schooley was shot in the leg, severing a large vein, police said.
Schooley managed to disarm the suspect and used a tourniquet above his wound. Bystanders helped him while another bystander helped Palmer subdue and arrest the suspect, police said.
Schooley will also receive the Pennsylvania State Police Purple Heart, which is presented to members who suffer serious bodily injuries in the line of duty.
Two bystanders also were honored with outstanding citizenship awards for their roles.
