West Virginia Trooper Injured in Line of Duty Shooting

February 2, 2005

By: John Droppleman, WVTA Board Member

Trooper Bobby Elswick (seated) with Sgt Burnett and Troopers Copson & Droppleman

On a rainy evening in October 2002, Trooper Robert Elswick and Trooper Robert Copson responded to a domestic situation on Harper Lane in Hedgesville, West Virginia. The two troopers learned that a male suspect named David Munday had assaulted his girlfriend and then fled into the woods with a weapon. Troopers Elswick and Copson checked neighbors and searched the nearby area briefly, but were not able to locate Munday. When they returned to the scene, they learned that their primary witness and victim had left. They left the scene quickly to locate the victim.

Munday then returned to the home and found that his girlfriend had left. Angry with his neighbors - the Lambert family, for allowing his girlfriend to call the police from their home. Munday went to their house, where he first confronted Sandy Lambert and fired several shots from his weapon at her. Ms. Lambert fled inside her residence to alert her family, but Munday kicked the door in and took her husband John as a hostage. Sandy and her daughter were able to escape from the home and call the police.

Troopers Elswick and Copson were still in the area along with two other troopers sent as backup. Within minutes, the four officers met close to the Lambert home. Trooper Elswick was the officer in charge of the scene. He decided that it would be prudent for the officers to park away from the scene and walk. The four officers took up a position at the edge of a small wooded area where the suspect's and victim's residences could be seen.

Despite the safety precautions, David Munday was still able to approach within sixty yards of the officers. Munday fired a shot from a rifle, and Trooper Elswick fell. The other officers returned fire, wounding and later capturing Munday. Trooper Elswick was transported by ambulance to Martinsburg City Hospital with a gunshot wound to the head. He was stabilized there and later sent to Washington County Hospital in Hagerstown, Maryland.

Elswick's injury was severe and his prognosis was dismal. For the next two weeks, family and friends experienced a terrible, emotional roller coaster ride. Reports from doctors ranging from small improvements to huge and dangerous setbacks left Trooper Elswick's family on edge. Love, hope and prayer would, however, prevail in this terrible situation. In the third week following the incident, Elswick began improving dramatically. The recovery was nothing short of a miracle.

After spending approximately four weeks in Washington County hospital, Elswick was transferred to the Shepherd Center, in Atlanta, Georgia, for intensive therapy and rehabilitation. He spent approximately three months at the Shepherd Center.

Bobby Elswick returned home February 2003 to a hero's welcome. Officers from many local agencies turned out to honor him. A motorcade of approximately fifty patrol cars escorted Elswick and his family to his home. His rehabilitation did not end with the Shepherd Center. He has continued his rehabilitation at Washington County Hospital.

To put into perspective how far Bobby Elswick has traveled from the brink of death to the point of recovery, here are the hurdles that he has overcome: the right side of his body experienced some paralysis immediately after the shooting; he was unable to speak or walk; and his eyesight was seriously compromised. Great improvements continued to occur at Washington County Hospital. Through great determination and the love of his wife and family, Bobby Elswick has been able to improve dramatically.

In October of 2003, David Munday appeared in court for his trial related to the incident in which Elswick was shot. Elswick and his family attended the trial every day. David Munday was subsequently convicted of 21 counts relating to the shooting.

On January 8, 2004, David Munday appeared in court for his trial related to a change under West Virginia's three strikes law. Berkely County Prosecutor Pamela Games-Neely sought this charge when it was learned that David Munday had two previous felony convictions. At Munday's sentencing, Bobby Elswick and his family were able to face and speak to David Munday. Elswick stood in the courtroom and said to Munday, "You know what you did, I'm still here and you can't even look at me." David Munday could only look away like a true coward. Judge David Sanders then sentenced Munday to a 25-year sentence with an additional 9 to 25 year sentence - he will be eligible for parole in 27 years.

Currently, Bobby Elswick continues his rehabilitation two days a week. Through his hard work and desire, he is now able to talk,
walk, and do most things that he did prior to the shooting. Elswick, known as Bobby Joe to his friends, maintains a positive outlook on life and his future. He continues to enjoy his favortie pastimes, such as NASCAR, NFL football, and four-wheeler riding.

There are many people who are owed thanks for the good ending to the Bobby Joe Elswick story. The medical professionals with the Hedgesville ambulance service, the Martinsburg City Hospital and the Washington County Hospital, are all credited with saving Elswick's life. Law enforcement brothers in the Maryland State Police, Washington County Sheriff's Office, Hagerstown City Police, Berkely County Sheriff's Office, Martinsburg City Police, and the many officers from agencies throughout the United States visited Elswick while he was in the hospital and in rehab. Elaine Harris and many other members of the Communications Workers of America contributed generously by kind words and donations. And most important, Elswick's family and close friends stood by him every step of the way, in particular his wife Terri and his Mother and Father, Joe and Vicki Elswick.

Bobby Joe Elswick is truly a brave man. Throughout this whole ordeal, he never complained or developed a negative attitude. He always worked hard to improve himself a little every day. His never quit attitude is a unique quality - young troopers entering the West Virginia State Police should model themselves after Bobby Joe Elswick.