By Jim Melwert, Al Novack, Jericka Duncan

[EDITOR'S NOTE:  Officer Jon Cousin was later charged with faking his own shooting.  See related story.]

CHALFONT, Pa. (CBS) — A police officer in Chalfont, Bucks County has been shot and there is a manhunt underway for the shooter.

Between 3 and 3:30 Monday morning, Chalfont Borough Police Officer Jon Cousin was on routine patrol when he saw a car parked in the lot of the Lenape Valley Swim Club, along Westview Avenue.

“As he approached the vehicle and got out of his vehicle, the operator of the suspicious vehicle rushed him,” says Chalfont Police Chief Frank Campbell. “At the same time, the passenger got out of the vehicle and took one shot. The officer went down, got off two shots at the vehicle, so he says. And the vehicle then sped away.”

Officer Cousin, who was wearing a vest, was struck in the chest. He was taken to Abington Memorial Hospital and later released.

As for the car that sped away, it’s described as a maroon, older model Oldsmobile Cutlass, possibly with a college decal on the back and scrapes on the rear bumper.

“It’s really sad because you have an officer like Officer Cousin, who is a good cop and is out here trying to protect the neighborhood,” said Adam Moyer, a neighbor.

Police are being told to be on the lookout for the vehicle. There have been cars reported with matching descriptions, but so far nothing has panned out.

Chief Campbell does say that there’s no reason for residents to be afraid for their security.