State Trooper Injured in Schuylkill County Accident Releases Book

A Pennsylvania State Police Trooper tells his story, of the day his life changed, forever.

March 27, 2015 is a day Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Sergeant Robert Bemis will not forget.

Bemis, a trainer, specializing in officer safety, was on his way home to Hummelstown, Dauphin County, from a training event in Wilkes Barre, Luzerne County. While driving, he came upon a vehicle that was about to be engulfed in flames, near mile marker 121, in the southbound lanes of Interstate 81, Butler Township, near Frackville, Schuylkill County.


Bemis parked along the berm of the road to help the motorist. Moments after exiting his vehicle, an SUV that was traveling southbound, left the roadway striking his vehicle at a high rate of speed, catapulting him into the air.

Bemis suffered life altering injuries, including needing assistance to walk.

Two years since the accident Bemis continues to recover physically and mentally. After serving 30 years in law enforcement, he has now retired and has written a book.

The book, titled, "Scars & Stripes, A Trooper's Victory Over Critical Injury", Bemis not only talks about the accident, but about his time as a Marine, a member of President Reagan's Security Detail on Marine One,  joining the Pennsylvania State Police, starting a family, and serving others.  He discusses how his life prior to the accident helped him recover and has led him to feel he has another purpose in life.

As Bemis states in the book, "My injury didn't define who I am; it showed me the person I needed to become".

The book was co-written with Michael J. Asken, Ph.D, a friend and psychologist.

Robert Bemis is now working to help those who have had similar obstacles to overcome, by giving lectures across the Commonwealth. His programs are designed for administrators, command staff, management personnel, and front-line officers in the Emergency Services. They are intended to increase understanding and raise awareness to the unique difficulties faced by service members who survive catastrophic injuries received in the “Line of Duty”.  Often, the member confronts unanticipated obstacles beyond physical recovery, and the mission becomes about the agency and member working to find both balance and value to the member’s continued service with the organization.

For more information on his programs or to purchase a copy of his book, visit www.forgedinscars.com. 

Photos from the Accident provided by the Altamont Fire Department, Frackville

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