Dale S. Ewell pleaded guilty in September to simple assault and resisting arrest.

Lancaster County President Judge Louis J. Farina sentenced Ewell to two years of probation and 25 hours of community service for the May 7, 2005, attack on East Earl Township police Officer Michael P. Vance.

Ewell, who is co-owner of a trucking company, is required to report to a probation officer for one year. Farina said he will stop the supervision after the first year if Ewell completes the community service and doesn’t violate probation.

“You are a responsible businessman in East Earl,” Farina said. “What type of example is this? You can’t go around hitting police and resisting arrest.”

Ewell was contrite.

“I’m sorry about what transpired,” Ewell told Farina. “I wish I would’ve cooperated.”

According to court documents, police were searching the 4600 block of Division Highway for a reckless driver when they thought they heard a gunshot and screams. Vance searched the trucking company property and found Ewell and his wife, Cindy, moving furniture inside a tractor trailer.

Ewell told Vance a dropped couch made the noise and caused his wife to scream, the documents say.

When Vance attempted to search Ewell for a gun, Ewell refused, and a struggle erupted.

According to the police affidavit, Ewell punched Vance in the face before being handcuffed.

Defense attorney Barry G. Goldman asked Farina for mercy because Ewell is a recovering alcoholic with a prosthetic leg.

“There is no defense for striking an officer,” Goldman said Monday. “My client is remorseful for what happened. He should have submitted and has apologized to Officer Vance.

“Mr. Ewell’s emotions got the best of him. His artificial leg was ripped off in the struggle.”


Brett Lovelace’s e-mail address is blovelace@lnpnews.com.