Officer returns to work despite wife’s death investigation
TRENTON » Scott Schoellkopf is back in uniform.
The Mercer County Sheriff’s officer, who was arrested for beating his wife on April 28 and ultimately had the charges dismissed, returned to work on Aug. 16, authorities said Thursday.
Schoellkopf, a lieutenant, was re-assigned out of the fugitive unit to the courthouse security unit. Under the state legal system, Schoellkopf was cleared for duty and given the legal right to return to work, according to information provided by the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office.
However, Chesterfield police confirmed Wednesday that his wife’s death still remains under investigation.
Regina Schoellkopf’s body was found was found hanging in the couple’s home on the first block of Settlers Way in Chesterfield on July 2.
Five days earlier, a judge dismissed a simple assault charge that was filed by police against Scott Schoellkopf because his wife invoked her 5th Amendment rights to testify against her husband. Shortly after Scott Schoellkopf was charged with pushing his wife to the ground, causing “redness and pain to the thigh area” of her right leg, he filed a counter complaint against his wife, alleging she pushed him, “causing red marks to his shoulder,” according to court documents obtained by The Trentonian through a public records request.
Scott Schoellkopf’s complaint was a private citizen’s complaint that Chesterfield Township Municipal Court Judge Lis Downey authorized on May 8, despite not being signed by police, court records show.
Scott Schoellkopf also invoked his Fifth Amendment right to testify against his wife and the charge against Regina Schoellkopf was dismissed.
According to a 9-1-1 tape obtained by The Trentonian through a public records request, Scott Schoellkopf called police the day his 39-year-old wife was found dead to report she had not shown up to pick up their two kids.
“Me and my wife are getting divorced and my wife was supposed to pick our kids up at Wawa,” Scott Schoellkopf tells the dispatcher. “She never showed up so we came to the house and her car’s in the driveway and the whole house is dark and everything. She’s never been late before.”
The house is in the couple’s name, property records indicate.
A welfare check was then detailed to the house and Regina’s Schoellkopf’s lifeless body was found by police.
Authorities confirmed Wednesday that their investigation into the death is not over.
Chesterfield Police Chief Kyle Wilson said in an email that the investigation is “still open.” Initially, the chief said there was “nothing suspicious.”
The Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office said on July 6 and then again on July 7 that the agency is not involved in the investigation.
However, Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office spokesman Joel Bewley said Wednesday via email that the agency’s “HighTech Crimes Unit has provided assistance” in the probe.
Regina Schoellkopf’s family also assumed custody of her body to perform their own autopsy, signaling they have concerns about her death.
The domestic violence incident on April 28 was documented in a 9-1-1 call obtained by The Trentonian. It shows that Regina Schoellkopf was afraid of her spouse.
“My husband just hurt me,” Regina Schoellkopf says to a police dispatcher with panic in her voice. “He’s threatening me ... please hurry.”
The wife, who was barricaded in the bathroom when she called police, said she was “knocked down,” causing pain and redness to her side.
At one point in the audio recording, Regina is heard saying, “I’m trying to protect myself” to someone in the home. “F**k you,” a man shouts back. Scott Schoellkopf, an 18-year veteran who earns an annual salary of $115,083, was suspended without pay from the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office following his arrest.
Scott Schoellkopf’s arrest was the third time a Mercer County Sheriff’s officer allegedly hit a female partner in a five-month span.
The Mercer County Sheriff’s Office said Thursday that it stands firm on its disdain for domestic violence in the community and within its ranks.
Victims of domestic violence have help available. Online chat is available so victims can ask for help quietly at thehotline.org or the phone line is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Help for all kinds of crisis is available at crisistextline.org, if you are in crisis text HOME to 741741.