Yardley Police Chief Tries To Put His Shooting Behind Him

YARDLEY, PA —Every day, Yardley Police Chief Joseph Kelly III heads to work trying to keep Aug. 18, 2021, out of his mind.

He's tried to but then had to relive the events of that day last month. And that day is also going to come up on the calendar next week.

That day —Aug. 18, 2021 —marked the day that Kelly was shot.

"It's difficult because it's still not over," Kelly told Patch recently.

Next Wednesday, Colin Petroziello —sentenced in early February to up to 30 years in prison for shooting Kelly —is asking for his sentence to be reconsidered.

Petroziello, 26, of Yardley was sentenced to 15-to-30 years in state prison on Feb. 6 for shooting and injuring Kelly III during a four-hour standoff at Petroziello's apartment at Yardley Commons while Kelly was attempting to conduct a well-being check on Aug. 18, 2021.

Kelly and Bucks County Adult Probation/Parole Officer Cristina Viviano both testified about the about how they both came under fire at a condominium complex and how their lives and the lives of their families were impacted.

The chief suffered injuries to his left hand and left ear. Viviano was not injured.

During the sentencing, Kelly's 17-year-old daughter testified about the impact the shooting had on her and her family. And in a show of support, Mayor Chris Harding and several Yardley Borough Council members attended as well.

All spoke about the sentencing during a council meeting last month.

"It was a very emotional day no doubt," Harding said. "I think everyone who was there wished they hadn't had to be there. I've never been more proud of our police department and the chief of police. This is a turning of the page. We're glad you received some closure."

Council Vice President Kim Segal-Morris called the sentencing "a learning experience."

"Hearing the witness statements, and it's a lasting effect on the town," she said. "I didn't think how it would impact people in town or even me."

At that meeting, Segal-Morris closed her comments by saying "hopefully we can move on and there are no appeals."

But then came the sentencing reconsideration.

Kelly said the sentencing took up most of the day and that he was "recalling every second of the day."

"I'm fully blessed that we have survived," Kelly told Patch. "The borough has shown an outpouring of support. I was even getting cards and letters from friends and strangers from around the country."

Kelly tries to just go about his business of overseeing the borough's police department.

"It doesn't effect me day-to-day," he said. "I go about my job and use my training and experience. I talked to our younger officers about how important training is. Your entire career, you're aware of what ifs. It's not in the forefront of my mind."