A 46-year-old Quakertown man has entered a no contest plea to all charges stemming from the stabbing of an off-duty Lansdale Police officer in July 2019.
According to a report by Bob Keeler at the Perkasie News Herald, Stephen Deatelhauser entered a nolo contendere plea to Bucks County Judge Gary Gilman on Oct. 2 from a remote video hook-up at the Bucks County Correctional Facility. Deatelhauser has remained in county jail since he was arrested on July 5, 2019.
Keeler’s report indicates that sentencing was deferred until Oct. 20, pending the conclusion of a mental health evaluation. A no contest plea is not an admission of guilt; rather, it means the defendant does not dispute the charges.
According to the initial release from the Richland Township Police Department, police responded to a report of an erratic person walking along Route 309 on the morning of July 5, 2019. Police located the male — later identified as Deatelhauser — who then ran into a CVS, pulled the fire alarm and then fled on foot toward Route 309, the report states.
While fleeing, Deatelhauser displayed a knife and a kubaton, the report states. As members of the Richland Township Police Department were attempting to get Deatelhauser to drop the weapons, an off-duty officer from the Lansdale Police Department — later identified as 36-year-old Daniel Gallagher — attempted to render aid, but was stabbed in the left shoulder as he took Deatelhauser to the ground, the report states.
Deatelhauser was then taken into custody, according to the report.
Gallagher, at the time a nine-year veteran of the Lansdale Police Department assigned to the community policing unit, was transported from the scene via ambulance to Saint Luke’s-Quakertown for treatment of his injuries. He was released later that day, according to police.
Gallagher returned to duty several weeks later, and was promoted to sergeant and moved to the patrol division of the Lansdale Borough Police Department. Gallagher would also receive several awards following the incident, including the Award of Valor from both the Lansdale Borough Police Department and the National Liberty Museum in Philadelphia.
Keeler’s report adds that Deatelhauser stated that he did not mean to stab Gallagher, but he didn’t dispute that the injury occurred. Deatelhauser’s lawyer added that his client had seizures the day prior to the incident, and was hospitalized the night before.
In total, Deatelhauser was charged with two felony counts of aggravated assault, one felony count of flight to avoid apprehension, and misdemeanor counts of simple assault, terroristic threats and false alarm to an agency of public safety in connection with the incident.
See also:
Mayoral Musings: Sgt. Dan Gallagher Receives Award Of Valor
Officer Gallagher Continues Recovery From Stab Wound, Chief Reflects On His Actions
Mayoral Musings: Officer Gallagher Exhibited Training, Dedication
Souderton Man Charged In Stabbing Of Off-Duty Lansdale Police Officer
Off-Duty Lansdale Police Officer Stabbed In Quakertown, Suspect In Custody
