Austintown cop shot last week returns to duty

AUSTINTOWN — For a man who got shot in the chest a week ago, Patrolman Joe Wojciak doesn’t appear to be all that fazed.

It was the end of his shift this afternoon, his first day of work since the shooting, and the 25-year police department veteran was looking forward to getting out of there — but he still had his reports to do.

“Aw!” he said, slapping his forehead with his hands when it was suddenly clear to him that a member of the press was eyeing him up him for a sit-down talk.

He’s gotten a lot of attention since the morning of May 8, when he was shot in the parking lot of the Kmart on Mahoning Avenue. The press crowded into his room afterward at the St. Elizabeth Health Center emergency outpost in Austintown, filming, snapping pictures and wanting his story.

Now, he said, he’s looking forward to his normal routine.

For the complete story, see Thursday's Vindicator and Vindy.com.