By Chuck Biedka
The Tribune-Review
LOWER BURRELL, Pa. — In what might be a first in Pennsylvania, a Lower Burrell paramedic will stand trial on charges alleging she interfered with police who were trying to get a suicidal woman to go to the hospital.
Paramedic Jodi L. Kerr-Rummel, 31, of Derry is charged with obstructing police and disorderly conduct. She pleaded not guilty. Her attorney argues that she was trying to do what was best for the patient.
At a hearing Wednesday, District Judge Cheryl Peck Yakopec ordered Kerr-Rummel to stand trial on both charges. She was released on a nominal bond.
Joe Schmider, who directs the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services within the state Health Department, called the charges against Kerr-Rummel “unusual.”
“I’ve been in emergency services since 1974, and I’ve never heard about anything like this,” Schmider said. The bureau licenses about 13,000 paramedics or 37,000 emergency medical technicians across the state.
“Usually, police and paramedics are on the same page,” he said.
The incident in question occurred on the morning of April 9 as police were trying to get a Lower Burrell woman to go to a hospital voluntarily. Her boyfriend reported he feared that she was suicidal because of text messages she had sent to him.
The woman, who allegedly had not been taking prescribed medication, refused an ambulance trip to Allegheny Valley Hospital because she feared she would lose her job. She became combative and tried to punch one of the officers after they told her that they would take her to the hospital anyway under an involuntary commitment order, police testified at Kerr-Rummel’s preliminary hearing.
During a struggle with two officers, the woman fell to the floor but continued to be combative, police testified.
According to testimony and court documents, Patrolman Dominic Dileo pulled a stun gun from his belt and was preparing to shock the woman when Kerr-Rummel ran between the officers and grabbed the woman’s arm, he said.
Patrolman John Marhefka Jr., who filed the charges, testified that the paramedic “bumped” into him and grabbed the woman with both hands, “tugging at her violently.”
The officers said that because Kerr-Rummel forced herself between the woman and the officers, Dileo could not use his Taser. They said Kerr-Rummel ignored several orders to move out of the way and leave the room. The paramedic’s actions, police said, allowed the woman to continue struggling, endangering herself, the officers and Kerr-Rummel.
Eventually, according to court documents, Kerr-Rummel left. The woman, who remained combative, was stunned with the weapon, arrested and taken to the hospital under an involuntary mental health commitment. She was charged with aggravated assault, harassment and resisting arrest.
Kerr-Rummel was “only acting in the best interests of the patient,” argued her attorney, James Matthew Fox of Latrobe.
Kerr-Rummel “didn’t think it was appropriate” for a patient to be subjected to the Taser, he said.
Fox didn’t return calls for comment Friday. Kerr-Rummel, who has an unpublished phone number, could not be reached for comment.
Kerr-Rummel is a “very competent” paramedic who continues to work for the department, said Lower Burrell No. 3 fire Chief Mark Marmo.
She can remain on the job because she is not convicted, Schmider said. Upon notification of conviction by the licensee, the bureau reviews each case to decide whether disciplinary action is warranted.
Schmider hopes Lower Burrell police and Emergency Medical Service personnel can discuss the incident and reach a resolution.
“I hope someone will mediate,” he said.
EMS and fire crews “value our relationship with our police department,” Marmo said. “I hope we can resolve this amicably.”