Camden County officer stable after being shot in the leg

A Camden County police officer is recovering in the hospital after he was shot in the line of duty. Meanwhile, the man accused of shooting him was taken into police custody.

Blessed says it all. 21-year-old Camden County Police Officer Patrick O'Hanlon, single, and also serving in the Army Reserve, gave the thumbs up.

Some good fortune prevented near-disaster Wednesday night. He left his patrol car at 8th and Chelton to speak to three men. Investigators say one ran away, Officer O'Hanlon chased and caught him and they struggled, when police say the suspect pulled a gun and shot Officer O'Hanlon in the leg, just missing an artery. The weapon then jammed when police say the suspect tried to shoot him in the head.

"The officer was physically engaged with him. He was able to rip the gun out of his hands, toss it off to the side, and at the same time overpower the suspect, and physically stay on top of him until backup arrived," Camden County Police Chief Scott Thomson said.

Police immediately got a tourniquet on the officer's leg to stop the bleeding.

According to police, the suspect is 19-year-old Delronn Mahan, an alleged gang member from Lindenhold, with a rap sheet way too long for his age. Police say he has been arrested at least ten times, convicted of 3 felonies, and now add charges attempted murder.

As officer O'Hanlon recovers, police are also focused on the health of the neighborhood. A known trouble spot, where fearful neighbors were treated to ice cream and a commitment Thursday.

"We realize that the community was being victimized by this suspect as much as our officer was last night," Chief Thomason said.