Officer saves colleague, Downingtown man from onrushing train
CALN — A township police office is being called a hero today, after his quick response may have saved the life of a Downingtown man as well as a fellow police officer, Wednesday.
Officer David Wardle pulled another officer – Jason Culbertson — and a robbery suspect, Ryan Keith Dolph, age 19 from the path of an oncoming Amtrak train, likely saving both men, township Police Chief Joseph Elias said.
“I’m proud of all the officers who were involved in quickly solving this crime, and extremely thankful that no one was seriously injured or killed,” Elias said in a statement. “This incident demonstrates how quickly the dynamics of a situation can change. The pursuit of a fleeing felony suspect shifted to an officer saving the life of the individual that he was attempting to arrest. The split second actions of Officer Wardle likely not only saved the life of the suspect, but that of one of his fellow officers as well.”
Early Wednesday, township police responded to an alarm call at the Sneaker Den, located on Lincoln Highway in the township’s Thorndale section. After arriving on the scene, police say they found evidence of a crime, the theft of merchandise and cash from the store, but the suspect had apparently fled.
Officers Culbertson and Wardle began checking the immediate area near the store, and found what appeared to be some of the stolen merchandise in a wooded area to the rear of the store — possibly dropped in haste as a potential suspect fled. Both officers began tracking a possible suspect, Dolph, and ultimately located him walking along the railroad tracks.
A foot pursuit ensued, and both officers became involved in a physical struggle with the individual on the tracks. During the struggle, Wardle observed a high speed Amtrak train approaching, and quickly pulled Culbertson and Dolph to safety within seconds of nearly being struck.
Dolph is currently in police custody and awaiting arraignment on burglary, theft and related charges. Police say they have recovered several thousand dollars of stolen merchandise and an undisclosed amount of cash.
