Man charged in stabbing of off-duty officer in Richland

A man has been charged with aggravated assault, terroristic threats, simple assault, and related charges in connection with the July 5 stabbing of an off-duty Lansdale police officer in Richland Township.

The Lansdale officer, identified by Richland Township police as Daniel Gallagher, was stabbed in the left shoulder when he offered his assistance to an officer in pursuit of the suspect on foot. Gallagher was treated at St. Luke’s-Quakertown Hospital and released.

Richland police said they received a call July 5, from a man requesting assistance after someone attempted to take his cell phone in the 1000 block of South West End Boulevard.

According to the Bucks County District Attorney’s office, police located a man fitting the description of the subject at the intersection of Tollgate Road and South West End Boulevard.

When approached by police the man, identified by law enforcement as 45-year-old Stephen L. Deatelhauser, brandished a knife and led police on a pursuit to the CVS Pharmacy, where he entered the store and activated the fire alarm, then exited the store onto South West End Boulevard.

Gallagher observed the commotion and offered his assistance to Richland police attempting to get Deatelhauser to drop his weapon. Gallagher sustained a stab wound to his left shoulder while subduing the suspect, the DA’s office said.

Deatlehauser was taken into custody without further incident, police said. He also was treated at the hospital and released.

Deatlehauser was arraigned before District Judge Lisa Gaier, where bail was revoked, from a previous case. Deatlehauser was transported to Bucks County Correctional Facility.

According to police, it is believed that Deatlehasuer may have attempted to gain access to cars along Route 309 between Tollgate Road and Trumbauersville Road. At some point Deatlehasuer was reported to have had a backpack or smaller bag. If anyone knows the whereabouts of this bag, they are asked to contact police.