June 26, 2016

Kenny Chesney honors wounded Folcroft police officer, mistakenly says he died, pledges Eagles and beer

Country superstar says he'll watch Eagles game, drink brews with Christopher Dorman

By Michael Tanenbaum
PhillyVoice Staff

Country rock icon Kenny Chesney, in town Saturday night for a much-anticipated concert at Lincoln Financial Field, respectfully took a moment out of his set to pay tribute to 25-year-old Christopher Dorman, the Folcroft police officer who survived seven gunshots while responding Friday morning to a drug bust in Delaware County.

The only issue with Chesney's show of gratitude for the men in blue is that he mistakenly said a Philadelphia police officer had been shot and killed.

@kennychesney takes a moment to think about @FolcroftPD ofc. Dorman during sold out concert. #getwell @6abc pic.twitter.com/weVbBWJI0o
— Mike Nik (@6abcmike) June 26, 2016

"Before we get going with the rest of the show, last night, a Philadelphia police officer was shot seven times. In the hospital on his bed," Chesney told the crowd. "He passed away, but before he passed away he made a video that he wanted to come tonight so bad, and he said, 'Kenny, please don't forget me.'''

Dorman, who had reportedly planned to attend the concert, remains at Penn Presbyterian Hospital in guarded condition, according to 6ABC.

The Folcroft Police Department, appreciative of Chesney's generosity, made sure to set the record straight.

@kennychesney just said that officer Dorman passed away...THAT IS FALSE. HE IS ALIVE AND WELL!!
— FolcroftPolice (@FolcroftPD) June 26, 2016

@kennychesney make this right
— FolcroftPolice (@FolcroftPD) June 26, 2016

After receiving word of the error, Chesney and his crew released a statement, quoted in part below.

"For them, the story was personal - and the fact that Chesney knew - and lifted this moment to honor the police officer prompted an insane response. If the internet blew up at what seemed to be his comment suggesting the officer had passed, he finished the song he was singing, the plaintive "Anything But Mine," about yearning for a summer love past, and offered, "Christopher Dorman, wherever you are, this is for you..."

..."The idea that a hero like that, with seven bullets in him, would even think about me... I heard about it right before I hit the stage, and it stopped me in my tracks," Chesney added. ""And when I heard the cheer they sent up when I sent our best to Officer Dorman, man, everything I've ever thought about the people of Philadelphia was confirmed."

As for making it right, Chesney took to Twitter on Sunday with a tentative plan.

.@FolcroftPD He's doing great. Told him we'd watch an Eagles game & have beers one day. Here's to a speedy recovery! #dormanthedelcolegend
— Kenny Chesney (@kennychesney) June 26, 2016

And wouldn't you know it, Eagles head coach Doug Pederson was in attendance at his home field on Saturday night.