Hatboro Rallies To Help NJ Cop, Shot In The Head, Rehab Historic Car

HATBORO, PA -- After Atlantic City police officer Josh Vadell was shot in the line of duty in September, he was sent to a rehabilitation facility in Hatboro to start his journey back to recovery.

Vadell suffered a gunshot wound to the head after he and his partner exchanged gunfire while trying to break up a robbery on September 3. Surviving the horrific incident, however, was just the beginning: he now faced a long, challenging road to recovery.

As friends, family, and fellow officers mourned Vadell's injury, they began to look for ways that they could help. They wanted to motivate him and inspire him as he began his rehab.

Eventually, it was discovered that Vadell's father, who recently passed away, had left him a 1976 Chevrolet Nova. It was in need of a lot of repair work.

"Josh has dreamed of fixing this car up and getting it on the road to honor his father," said friend Andrew Valleley.

A group of Vadell's friends began to restore the vehicle, with the blessing of Josh's wife, Laura. James Buckley, the owner of both Manncave Custom & Performance Shop and Tanner Avenue Autobody in Hatboro, offered free labor and his cost on parts to make the dream a reality.

"Josh was informed before going home to New Jersey that Buckley would be "getting his car" back on the road," Valleley said. "He has no idea of the magnitude of the rebuild, but to say that he was appreciative of being able to have his father's Nova on the road would be the understatement of a lifetime. He was told that he would not receive the keys to the car if he wavered in his commitment to rehabilitation. Josh accepted the challenge, now it's our time."

Valleley launched a GoFundMe on Monday to help raise money to complete the repairs. As of Tuesday afternoon, $755 of a $25,000 had been raised. To donate and to learn more, see here.

Image of Nova courtesy GoFundMe.