CLEARFIELD – An Olanta man accused of assaulting a state trooper was given a state prison sentence Monday.
Dale Edward Shaffer, 35, pleaded guilty during special sentencing court to aggravated assault, disarming a law enforcement officer, two counts of endangering the welfare of children, fleeing or attempting to elude police, firearm not to be carried without a license and summaries before Judge Paul E. Cherry, who sentenced him to two to 10 years in state prison.
Prior to sentencing, Assistant District Attorney Jendi Schwab noted that the victim was “deeply effected” by the incident.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, on April 30, a trooper was patrolling when he saw a Mazda SUV that had a registration number belonging to a Honda.
The trooper pursued the vehicle through Knox Township where it drove down Zion Road, then Clark Road and then turned onto a dirt gas well road. On this road, they encountered a natural barrier that prohibited them from continuing.
The Mazda stopped and the driver got out. The trooper also left his vehicle and a physical altercation ensued where Shaffer delivered several punches to the trooper’s head. He also attempted to strangle him.
During the struggle, Shaffer grabbed the trooper’s gun and tried to remove it from his holster. Shaffer stated “give me your gun. Give me your gun.” Eventually he fled on foot.
When another trooper arrived on the scene, he called for an ambulance. They discovered Shaffer had left two girls, aged two years old and three years old in car seats in the backseat of the Mazda.
They reportedly identified Shaffer as their father and the older child confirmed she was riding with her “daddy.”
A helicopter was utilized by state police to search the area before Shaffer was taken into custody, according to previous reports.
