Two Sentenced to 32 Years in Prison for Shooting Atlantic City Cop in 2016
Two men from Cumberland County were both each sentenced to 32 years in prison Monday for shooting Atlantic City Police Officer Josh Vadell in 2016.
31-year-old Martel D. Chisolm of Millville and 30-year-old Demetris Cross of Bridgeton both must serve at least 85 percent of their sentences as a condition of the No Early Release Act.
"I want you guys to know that your robbery was successful that night," said Josh Vadell as he addressed Chisholm and Cross. "You robbed me of my life. You robbed my kids of their daddy. You robbed my wife of her husband. You robbed my mother and sister of their son and brother." Vadell's statement appeared in coverage of the story from The Press of Atlantic City.
In the early morning hours of September 3, 2016, two Atlantic City police officers observed an alleged robbery in progress being committed near Caesars' parking garage on Arkansas Avenue. The officers observed a group of six males; as one Atlantic City police officer exited his vehicle, he was shot and injured. The second police officer returned fire, hitting one suspect, who fled the scene. All other persons involved in the robbery also fled the scene in different directions. The suspect, identified as 25-year-old Jerome Damon of Camden, who had been shot, was located approximately 1 1/2 blocks away on Missouri and Pacific Avenues, collapsed and deceased. An investigation revealed that three of the men had been victims of an alleged armed robbery committed by the other three men: Damon, Chisolm, and Cross.
“I cannot say it any better than retired Officer Joshlee Vadell, the sentence that the defendants received, while significant, do not equate to the life sentence of pain, suffering, and a diminished quality of life for him and his family. I am amazed by the resolve of the Vadell and McCabe families. I wish them all the best as they try to put this tragedy behind them," Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner said via a press release posted on Facebook.
An Atlantic County jury found the defendants guilty in June of Fourth degree Aggravated Assault by Pointing a Firearm at Another, Fourth degree Conspiracy to Commit Aggravated Assault by Knowingly Pointing a Firearm at Another, First degree Attempted Murder of Atlantic City Police Officer Thomas McCabe, First degree Attempted Murder of Atlantic City Police Officer Josh Vadell, three counts of First degree Robbery, Second degree Conspiracy to Commit Robbery, Fourth degree Obstructing the Administration of Law, and Fourth degree Resisting Arrest by Flight.