Samuel Wheeler

“When will the next bus be available,” Samuel L. Wheeler asked Butler County Judge William Shaffer on Thursday.

Wheeler, who pleaded guilty to shooting at two police officers earlier this year in Lyndora, apparently wants to get to the state prison to begin serving his 13- to 30-year prison sentence as soon as possible.

Wheeler’s question was the lone notable statement in court as Judge Shaffer issued the punishment, in keeping with the terms of a plea arrangement Wheeler made earlier with prosecutors.

The hearing was as quick and uneventful as the actual event was loud and dramatic.

Wheeler, a 24-year-old Lyndora man, had been arguing with an ex-girlfriend and drinking inside his father’s home in Lyndora.

He argued with his father inside the house and took a “swipe” at him with a hunting knife, according to police and witness reports.

Wheeler allegedly wrestled a loaded 9 mm rifle away from his father and headed into the street. Shortly before 5 a.m. March 8, prosecutors believe Wheeler fired the weapon into the air and at an open lot nearby.

Two state troopers who heard the emergency dispatch call responded, took up a position down the street and told him to drop his weapon.

Wheeler allegedly pointed the weapon at two state troopers and fired a shot. Wheeler was struck in the left hand by return fire from one of the officers.

He fled but investigators followed the trail of blood and footprints to the wounded Wheeler lying on Butler Road.

Wheeler pleaded guilty to three counts of aggravated assault, two counts of assault on a police officer and three counts of terroristic threats. In exchange, prosecutors dropped additional charges of attempted homicide.

None of the victims or Wheeler’s family attended the sentencing hearing.