Outpouring of Support for Injured Cranberry Officer

As Cranberry Police Cpl. Dan Hahn slowly recovers from serious injuries to his neck and back after from an overpass on Interstate 79, someone from the township constantly is by his side.

Sometimes, said township Manager Jerry Andree, it’s Jeff Schueler, Cranberry’s director of public safety. Other times, it’s police Lt. Kevin Meyer. Andree also has been to Hahn’s bedside to give him support.

“There always is someone from the township there,” Andree said.

On Monday, Thomas William Booth, 22, of Volant, led police on a high-speed chase that spanned two counties and involved five police departments before ending in Jackson Township.

After Jackson Township police deployed spikes on the highway to slow Booth’s vehicle, Booth tried to escape by jumping over a nearby jersey barrier. Hahn followed, and both fell 22 feet to the ground near Tollgate Road.

Booth died Tuesday from his injuries. Hahn was transported to Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh’s North Side, where he remains after undergoing surgery Monday.

Since then, Andree said, Hahn is “coming along,” but his recovery will be a slow process.

“Everyone is very optimistic and positive,” he said.

Hahn has received many words of support from the community since his injury, according to Andree.

“There has been tremendous, positive outpour from people,” he said.

Hahn, who helped form the township’s traffic unit, has worked for the township for 21 years. Now the supervisor of the patrol squad, the married father of two adult children is well-known in the community.

“He is an exceptional police officer,” Andree said.

Bruce Hezlep, president of the Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Company, said Hahn spent years working alongside firefighters. On behalf of the department, he had this to say on Hahn’s recovery:

“Cpl. Hahn has been a great friend to all of the members here at the Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Company, and we have worked with him for many years. We are all saddened by his injuries, but we know that Cpl. Hahn is strong and we look forward to his recovery and working with him again soon. We ask that you keep Cpl. Hahn and the entire Hahn family in your prayers.”

After numerous requests, the Cranberry Police Department also is accepting donations to send to Hahn and his family. Anyone wishing to send a donation may mail it to:

FOP Lodge 107

P.O. Box 1722

Cranberry, Twp. 16066

•  Be sure to note on the donation that it is for Cpl. Hahn.