Police officer from Upper Merion receives medal of bravery for “heroic actions”

Upper Merion Police Corporal Scott Samuels receives a Medal of Valor from Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele during the commendation ceremony on May 21, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office)

NORRISTOWN – In recognition of the “courageous” and “heroic, foresighted actions” an Upper Merion Township police officer displayed when he came under fire during a chaotic shootout outside the King of Prussia Mall at the height of the busy 2022 holiday shopping season, the officer received a medal of valor from Montgomery County’s top law enforcement official.

“We honor these law enforcement heroes who get up every day, put on their uniform and badge … and leave their families not knowing what to expect on their shift. They put themselves in harm’s way to ensure that all Montgomery County residents are safe. They care about the well-being of others, always before their own,” said District Attorney Kevin R. Steele shortly before awarding the medal to Upper Merion Police Corporal Scott Samuels.

On December 18, 2022, at 2:30 p.m., 29-year-old Andrew Wiley of Philadelphia fired several shots at Samuels, a married father of two, while investigating a hit-and-run crash involving Wiley near the mall.

Samuels was unharmed in the incident and returned fire as he took cover in the parking lot of the Seasons 52 restaurant in the popular shopping center. Authorities said Samuels fired his weapon at Wiley, striking him and ending the threat to the officer as well as innocent bystanders.

Wiley suffered non-life-threatening gunshot wounds to his thigh and ankle in the incident.

“Thanks to Corporal Samuels’ heroic, proactive actions that day, no civilians were injured. None of the police officers were physically harmed. And Corporal Samuels went home that evening to his pregnant wife and young son,” Steele told a crowd gathered May 21 for his annual police officer awards ceremony at the Montgomery County Public Safety Training Campus in Plymouth Township.

“Corporal Samuels, your courageous actions this morning were in keeping with the highest traditions of law enforcement. I am very pleased to present you with this Medal of Valor on behalf of all the citizens of Montgomery County and express my deep appreciation and gratitude,” Steele said to Samuels as spectators applauded in recognition.

The Medal of Valor is the District Attorney’s most prestigious award, presented to select law enforcement officers who courageously risk their lives to protect the citizens of the district.

After a three-day trial last November, a jury found Wiley guilty of attempted murder of a police officer, assault on a police officer, aggravated assault on a police officer, possession of a murder weapon and carrying a firearm without a permit in connection with the shooting.

In March, Judge William R. Carpenter sentenced Wiley to 25 to 50 years in a state correctional facility.

During the trial, Steele and his co-prosecutor Tanner Beck argued that Wiley intended to kill Samuels when he fired six shots at Samuels during the incident.

The investigation began at about 2:30 p.m. on the Sunday before Christmas, when police received a report of a hit-and-run crash in the area of ​​the King of Prussia Mall involving a red Nissan Juke driven by Wiley. An Upper Merion bicycle officer found the suspicious Nissan Juke in a mall parking garage while Wiley attempted to hide in the vehicle, court records show.

Wiley started the vehicle and fled toward the mall’s Gulph Road exit, but became stuck in traffic, investigators said. When Samuels’ marked patrol car pulled up behind the Nissan Juke with its blue lights on, the vehicle jumped a curb and Wiley attempted to escape through the parking lot of the Seasons 52 restaurant, but his vehicle came to a stop after driving over a 4-foot-high retaining wall.

The patrol car’s dashcam video showed Samuels getting out of his vehicle and approaching the Juke.

Samuels testified he drew his gun when he noticed Wiley reaching for something in the center console. Seconds later, Wiley fired several shots at Samuels, who quickly took cover behind an SUV as he returned fire. Wiley fell to the ground.

“This all happened in a crowded parking lot next to a busy road, with lots of people and vehicles around,” Steele said.

When Upper Merion police officers began to assist the agitated Wiley, he said, “Just kill me” and “shoot me in the head,” according to testimony.

According to the testimony, several witnesses told investigators that Wiley shot Samuels, who then returned fire to avert the threat.

Wiley was taken to Paoli Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries to his thigh and ankle.

A ghost gun, a 9mm Glock firearm with no branding or serial number, was found on the floor next to Wiley.