Crime & Safety

Plymouth Officer Injured In Vehicular Attack Returns Home From Hospital

The officer was escorted with an honor guard. "The LEO and First Responder life is not for the faint of heart," his wife shared.

PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP, PA — One of the Plymouth Township police officers injured in the recent vehicular attack has returned home from the hospital.

The officer, Kyle Wilhelm, received an honor guard escort from the hospital to his home in Limerick Township, police said.

The second injured officer is still recovering in the hospital.

Find out what's happening in Plymouth-Whitemarshfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

A large number of police motorcycles and vehicles were seen riding down Route 422 on Friday afternoon, including officers from Limerick Township, Royersford, and nearby municipalities.

Related: Video Emerges Of Driver Striking Plymouth Twp. Officer

Find out what's happening in Plymouth-Whitemarshfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

In a social media post that has gained hundreds of reactions, Wilhelm's wife thanked the public for the support.

"We started last week off celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary and we ended the week in a hospital room praying for his well-being and that of his brave co-worker," Colleen Guardino Wilhelm wrote. "The LEO and First Responder life is not for the faint of heart as we have found out and been tested a few times over Kyle's career. What these men and women choose to do for the purpose of safeguarding and providing our fragile society with safety, security and the semblance of freedom is honorable."

Plymouth Township police also added they were "deeply grateful" for the outpouring of support from the wider community, calling it "tremendous."

The incident took place at the Double Tree Hotel and on nearby roads in Plymouth Township on Friday, Oct. 24.

When police tried to apprehend the driver, who they said was wanted for recent recklessness on the roads, he back his vehicle up and slammed into the Plymouth patrol vehicle several times, according to authorities.

The officer got out of his vehicle to attempt to get the man, Dalton Lee Janiczek, 21, of Lower Gwynedd, to stop, but he slammed the vehicle into the officer, police said.

While the officer was on the ground and applying a tourniquet to his leg wound, Janiczek ran him over repeatedly, authorities said.

Janiczek fled the scene with more Plymouth officers in pursuit, eventually striking another patrol vehicle head-on, injuring a second officer, authorities said.

Police were able to take Janiczek into custody at the scene of that crash. Janiczek was treated for a head wound at nearby Abington Hospital and then booked at Montgomery County Correctional Facility.

No official fundraiser or donation site for the injured officers been created, officials said, and information on an approved way to support the families transparently and directly will be shared in the near future.

"Until then, the most meaningful way to help is to keep our officers and their family in your thoughts and prayers, and to respect their privacy as they navigate this difficult time," Plymouth Township police added.

Residents who wish to sent small gestures like cards or gift cards can mail them to THE Plymouth Township Police Department, Attn: Chief John Myrsiades, 700 Belvoir Road, Plymouth Meeting, PA, 19462.

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