YORK COUNTY, Pa. — A York County sheriff’s lieutenant who was shot eight times in an ambush that killed three Northern York County Regional Police detectives is speaking publicly about his recovery one year later.
Lieutenant Dave Godfrey continues to deal with chronic pain and physical limitations from his injuries. In his first television interview since the shooting, Godfrey and Casey Carr, the first EMT to reach him, spoke with News 8 about the attack, the emergency response that saved his life and his ongoing recovery.
| NEW RESOURCE: A first responder readiness checklist
Carr described a chaotic and emotional scene as responders worked to save the wounded officer.
Carr said he immediately recognized Godfrey when he arrived and began treating him.
“I ran to the front of the vehicle where Lieutenant Godfrey was and saw him lying on the ground and immediately knew who it was,” Carr said. “When I saw that it was Dave, I immediately panicked.”
Carr said Godfrey suffered critical abdominal and pelvic wounds that required immediate treatment before he could be moved. He said there was a point when he feared Godfrey would not survive.
Carr said learning that Godfrey survived reinforced the importance of the care provided at the scene. He later reunited with Godfrey at the hospital.
The experience stayed with him and other responders long after the incident. He also noted that much of the lifesaving work performed by EMS crews happens out of public view.
“EMS doesn’t get validation very often,” Carr said. “It just feels good to be appreciated.”
