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Kenny Chesney Apologizes To Philadelphia Police Officer After Falsely Announcing He Was Dead

By Victoria Miller
Published on: 07:59 PST, Jun 26, 2016

Kenny Chesney has given new meaning to the phrase “You’re dead to me.” The country music superstar was temporarily in hot water with fans when he falsely announced that a 25-year-old Philadelphia-area police officer had died after being shot on Friday morning after responding to a call about an alleged drug deal.

According to a report by Philadelphia’s WPVI/6ABC, during his show, Kenny Chesney told a Philly concert crowd that he wanted to remember Officer Christopher Dorman, who had been shot in the line of duty on Friday.

“Before we get going with the rest of the show, last night, a Philadelphia police officer was shot seven times,” Chesney told the crowd midway through the show. “In the hospital on his bed… 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.’ ”

TMZ posted video of Kenny Chesney telling the crowd about the shooting—and inaccurately reporting that the officer had passed away. The crowd cheered wildly as Chesney mentioned the fallen hero.

But it wasn’t long before fired up fans—most notably the Folcroft Police department—hit social media to let Chesney know that Office Dorman was not dead, but was hospitalized in stable condition. In a now deleted series of tweets, the Folcroft Police informed Chesney that what he said was false and urged the country music superstar to make things right.

“@kennychesney just said that officer Dorman passed away…THAT IS FALSE. HE IS ALIVE AND WELL!!,” the department tweeted.

In another tweet, the department wrote: “@kennychesney make this right.”

When Kenny Chesney got wind of his faux pas, he immediately called Officer Dorman to apologize. Chesney even told the recovering police officer that they will hang out once he recuperates. Chesney suggested they could meet up for an Eagles game and some beers. Both Kenny Chesney and the police department later confirmed the phone call on social media.

In a statement about the incident, Kenny Chesney revealed that he got “caught up in the moment” when he made the misinformed announcement during his stadium show at Philly’s Lincoln Financial Field.

“I think the emotions got the best of me,” Kenny said. “And I wasn’t as clear as I could have been. 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.”

As Kenny Chesney was backstage getting ready for his show he was told about the police shooting and about a video that had been made by the wounded officer. After Dorman thanked the police and paramedics that helped save him, he gave a shout-out to Chesney’s Philadelphia concert, which he had been planning to attend.

“Hey, Kenny, don’t forget me,” Dorman said.

Kenny Chesney didn’t forget him, he just forgot the exact circumstances of his situation. As he paid tribute to Dorman, Chesney reportedly referenced the line “Only the good die young” from his song “I Go Back,” then talked about Officer Dorman, telling him that he would never forget a hero like him.

Kenny Chesney will undoubtedly keep his word to Dorman, but the policeman is still in stable condition in the hospital. Still, the call from Kenny lifted his spirits. The officer’s assailant has been charged with two counts of attempted murder.

Take a look at the video below for more on Kenny Chesney and his misinformed announcement at the Philadelphia concert.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXkyodwp6pw

[Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for SiriusXM]

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