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03-02-03, 02:55 PM
While in chat a few weeks ago, I told those present the story of one of our officers who was critically injured while on duty when he was struck by a reckless driver. I promised to put some photographs of his vehicle up and here they are. However, first I wanted to give those who were not in chat the story behind what happened. I also wanted to post some photos of Dave before the accident, so you can appreciate what he (and all of us) lost that tragic day.
On New Years Day, (Jan 1) 2002 Officer Endicott was on patrol conducting traffic enforcement duties on Oregon State Highway 26. Hwy 26 is a very busy stretch of rural highway averaging 400 cars per hour. Dave was a member of the traffic enforcement team, who's primary duty is to conduct traffic enforcement operations on the Highway and in town.
At approximately 5pm, Dave was driving his marked patrol unit north on Hwy 26 over a small rise in the road where visibility of oncoming traffic is obscured due to the roadway. Dave was traveling approximately 45 mph, due to weather. The weather that day was cold and snowing. The highway was covered in snow pack and ice and considered treacherous.
While Dave continued his patrol he did not know that on the other side of that rise a reckless driver, operating an early '90's model Chevy Suburban was passing other traffic illegally and too fast for road conditions. The suburban was estimated to be traveling at approximately 65 mph at the time of the accident.
Dave came over the top of the rise and was struck head on driver side to driver side. One witness reported, "The officer never had a chance." Unfortunately after the accident Dave was trapped inside the patrol vehicle unconscious. Several witnesses and motorists stopped to help, but were unable to free Dave from the mangled patrol car. Due to weather conditions, Air Life was not able to fly and after an hour long extrication, Dave was transported by ambulance to a level 2 trauma center 78 miles away.
Dave remained in the Intensive Care Unit for three months where he was unconcsious for two. He suffered from a broken left thigh, broken pelvis, broken ribs, punctured left lung, numerous facial lacerations, and brain trauma. Dave was subjected to so many surgeries over the past year I have lost count.
Doctors told Dave he would probably not walk again without assistance and would never work again. Dave proved Doctor's wrong and seven months later was walking on his own. Dave tried to come back to work on limited duty working four hours a week (2 hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays) however, seeing the other officer's in uniform, responding to calls, etc. was too much for him to take.
Dave's doctor pulled his work authorization and a few weeks ago declared Dave 100% disabled.
Dave was one of the youngest "old men" I have ever known. The oldest member of the SWAT team, but one of the youngest in spirit.
Here are the photos: (I apologize for those of you with low band connections)
****Well, I tried three times to post the photos however, have been unsuccessful. The photos are in Yahoo, and all it will do is post the hyperlink to it and not the photo itself. SOMEONE HELP.***
Swat1*
On New Years Day, (Jan 1) 2002 Officer Endicott was on patrol conducting traffic enforcement duties on Oregon State Highway 26. Hwy 26 is a very busy stretch of rural highway averaging 400 cars per hour. Dave was a member of the traffic enforcement team, who's primary duty is to conduct traffic enforcement operations on the Highway and in town.
At approximately 5pm, Dave was driving his marked patrol unit north on Hwy 26 over a small rise in the road where visibility of oncoming traffic is obscured due to the roadway. Dave was traveling approximately 45 mph, due to weather. The weather that day was cold and snowing. The highway was covered in snow pack and ice and considered treacherous.
While Dave continued his patrol he did not know that on the other side of that rise a reckless driver, operating an early '90's model Chevy Suburban was passing other traffic illegally and too fast for road conditions. The suburban was estimated to be traveling at approximately 65 mph at the time of the accident.
Dave came over the top of the rise and was struck head on driver side to driver side. One witness reported, "The officer never had a chance." Unfortunately after the accident Dave was trapped inside the patrol vehicle unconscious. Several witnesses and motorists stopped to help, but were unable to free Dave from the mangled patrol car. Due to weather conditions, Air Life was not able to fly and after an hour long extrication, Dave was transported by ambulance to a level 2 trauma center 78 miles away.
Dave remained in the Intensive Care Unit for three months where he was unconcsious for two. He suffered from a broken left thigh, broken pelvis, broken ribs, punctured left lung, numerous facial lacerations, and brain trauma. Dave was subjected to so many surgeries over the past year I have lost count.
Doctors told Dave he would probably not walk again without assistance and would never work again. Dave proved Doctor's wrong and seven months later was walking on his own. Dave tried to come back to work on limited duty working four hours a week (2 hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays) however, seeing the other officer's in uniform, responding to calls, etc. was too much for him to take.
Dave's doctor pulled his work authorization and a few weeks ago declared Dave 100% disabled.
Dave was one of the youngest "old men" I have ever known. The oldest member of the SWAT team, but one of the youngest in spirit.
Here are the photos: (I apologize for those of you with low band connections)
****Well, I tried three times to post the photos however, have been unsuccessful. The photos are in Yahoo, and all it will do is post the hyperlink to it and not the photo itself. SOMEONE HELP.***
Swat1*