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Officer's jaw broken protecting students near Northeast High

A school police officer's jaw was broken and a colleague also was injured Monday when they tried to stop a group of adult men from fighting with students near Northeast High School in Rhawnhurst, Philadelphia School District spokesman Fernando Gallard said.

A school police officer's jaw was broken and a colleague also was injured Monday when they tried to stop a group of adult men from fighting with students near Northeast High School in Rhawnhurst, Philadelphia School District spokesman Fernando Gallard said.

"The police officers were there to protect these students and did a fantastic job," Gallard said. "They were very brave to take this on, and it resulted in them getting injured."

According to Gallard, Northeast High students were waiting for a SEPTA bus at Cottman Avenue near Castor Avenue around 3:30 p.m. when they were approached by a group of men who wanted to fight them. Gallard did not know how many people were in each group or why the adults wanted to fight the students.

Two Northeast High police officers patrolling the area saw the men challenge the students and moved in to intervene, Gallard said.

As a result, the one officer suffered a broken jaw; the other suffered bruises and swelling to his ankle. Both were taken to Temple University Hospital, where they were treated for their injuries.

Police confirmed they are investigating the incident, but did not release details.

Gallard said there is video of the assault and the School District "hopes these individuals get apprehended quickly."

Royce Merriweather, president of the School Police Association of Philadelphia, said he spoke to the officer with the broken jaw, who has been on the force about 16 years.

"He's sore and hurt, but he's in good spirits," Merriweather said.

School police officers increasingly find themselves protecting students and staff from unruly adults, he said.

"Unfortunately, this is the time that we're in, where adults no longer handle situations as adults," he said.

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