Atlantic City Officer Shot in 2016 Incident Survives, Two Men Convicted

In the early hours of September 3, 2016, officers from the Atlantic City Police Department responded to a report of a robbery outside the parking garage of Caesars Atlantic City. As the officers approached the scene, one officer, Joshlee Vadell, exited his patrol vehicle and was shot in the head.

A second officer returned fire, and one of the suspects, Jerome Damon, 25, of Camden, was struck and later pronounced dead at the scene about 1.5 blocks away. Two other men, Martell Chisholm, 19, of Millville, and Demetrius Cross, 28, of Bridgeton, were arrested later that night and charged with attempted murder, robbery, and related offenses.

Officer Vadell was taken to the hospital in critical condition. After intensive care and treatment, he recovered and was eventually discharged, continuing his rehabilitation outside the hospital.

Chisholm and Cross went to trial, were found guilty on all relevant charges, and in December 2018 were each sentenced to 32 years in state prison, required to serve at least 85% of their sentences before being eligible for parole.

The incident highlighted the risks police officers face during routine calls and demonstrated the strong support and solidarity among law enforcement and the Atlantic City community throughout Vadell’s recovery.