Scott Bailey, a school resource officer at Kerr Elementary and part-time Aspinwall patrolman, was not sure why his wife of 31 years, Tina, was taking certain detours after going out for dinner.
He thought it was odd as they drove to the O’Hara school, only to be greeted at the main door by Principal Katelyn Toth the evening of July 15.
What he discovered after receiving an envelope from the administrator was a deluge of students and parents holding homemade signs and carrying balloons as part of a surprise parade.
“I’m just overwhelmed,” said Bailey, who has more than 30 years of law enforcement experience.
“I’m not used to any of this at all. I’m used to helping people out whether it’s here or my other job. Helping with events or just helping people with their problems. I’m not used to receiving help. This is very new to me.”
What happened
Bailey, 56, has been on medical leave for more than a month. He was severely injured in a rollover crash June 6 in Richland.
He was a passenger in a side-by-side being driven down a trail when the driver reportedly lost control of the utility terrain vehicle.
Bailey said the vehicle flipped several times before landing on its side. He suffered internal bleeding, and his right hand was crushed.
He was transported via medical helicopter to UPMC Presbyterian, placed on a ventilator for three days and underwent multiple surgeries. Among the surgeries was the redistribution of arteries in this right arm to help heal his hand.
Tina Bailey continues to serve as the officer’s nurse and caretaker. There is no timeline for a complete recovery.
Community support
At least 100 people participated in the parade, including former Kerr students now in the middle school.
Some of the signs read “Get Well Officer Bailey,” “Officer Bailey You Are the Best” and “Cop of the Year.”
There were silver star and yellow smiley-face balloons as well as others that read “It’s Your Day” and “Feel Better.”
Parent Maggie Ionadi of O’Hara nearly floated away as she held on to more than a dozen balloons in hopes of distributing them before the Bailey’s arrival.
“We’re so appreciative of what Officer Bailey does every day to keep students safe in school,” Ionadi said. “Coming to visit with him is the least we could do to show him some love and well wishes.”
Parent Alyssa Hess joined her daughters, Lillie, 8, and Everleigh, 9, and their friend, Summer Daubenspeck, 9, as they carried a get well sign.
All three students contributed to the sign and said Bailey makes them feel safe at school.
A GoFundMe to support the family continues to receive donations.
Celena Celender, a parent of five Fox Chapel Area School District students, created the fundraiser and organized the surprise in collaboration with Tina Bailey and Toth.
“We just want Scott to be fully supported and recovered,” Toth said after the event.
Tina Bailey said her husband having no social media was a big help in keeping everything a surprise.
“I didn’t expect this many people,” the wife said fighting back tears. “Very amazed. And he needed this, definitely. He loves these kids. He loves this school. Basically, it’s Celena and the principal. I just got him here. Nobody spilled the beans.”
Celender said about $18,000 was raised in a week. She presented the family with related documents.
About 200 donations totaling more than $19,000 toward the $20,000 goal was listed on the donation website late July 15, several hours after the event.
Celender, an O’Hara resident and Pittsburgh police sergeant leading community resource officers in Zone 5, said Bailey may not be aware of the impact he makes on the district and its communities.
“I didn’t know him before my kids went to school here,” Celender said. “He stands here every day when the kids get out of the cars and the buses, and he greets every kid that goes into the school. He helps dismiss all the kids at the end of the day. I don’t think he has any idea how much of an impact he has on the kids. He has his own individual connection with each kid.”
Her children, Bella, Scarlett and Pria, go to Kerr. Her sons, Blake and Rowan, attend the middle school.
Blake said years ago he would play rock, paper, scissors with Bailey daily and has a winning record against the officer.
Celender said she was not surprised by the turnout and outpouring before the parade.
Bailey has worked at Kerr Elementary School for the past eight years. He told everyone he will be back at the school but does not know when.