Miami police chief: Injured detective has 2nd set of surgeries, faces long recovery
MIAMI - A Miami police detective has undergone surgery and had a 2nd set of surgeries on Tuesday to repair injuries she received after being struck by a vehicle and pinned against another.
Authorities said it happened Monday just before 4 p.m. at the intersection of NW 2nd Avenue and 12th Street in Overtown.
A witness saw a man, later identified as 49-year-old Andrewin Wardell, trying to steal a car and flagged down Detective Marvalyn Lee Chin who was in an unmarked car
She immediately rushed to the scene. Wardell, who the witness said seemed defensive, jumped into a man's maroon Nissan Murano and took off. Police said he intentionally struck Chin and pinned her into a parked vehicle.
"She was kinda twisted on the floor. She was just screaming 'help' - 'Jesus' calling for 'Jesus,' screaming 'help.' I mean it was very horrifying to watch to see somebody hit by a car due to stupidity," said Erica Nelson.
One witness who did not want to show his face or give his name said he tried to help the detective. He said "Her arm was like literally torn up. I just put pressure to it. I wrapped my shirt around it. I just tried to help her." Chin's backup also rushed in to help her.
That witness also said, "The dude put the car in gear and literally just crushed her to the other car." Police say Wardell sped off.
Police caught Wardell around the corner. He's facing a number of charges including carjacking, attempted felony murder causing injury, battery on law enforcement, and leaving the scene of a crash involving serious bodily injury.
Police say Wardell has been hospitalized at Jackson Memorial Hospital.
Chin was also taken to the same hospital with serious arm and leg injuries.
Miami Police Chief Manny Morales said Chin's recovery will take some time.
"This just kind of highlights the risks the brave men and women take each and every day when they go out on their ride to try to make Miami the safest community in the nation," he said. "My absolute heartfelt gratitude goes out to each and every one of them who go out and put their lives on the line when they leave their families to come out to do the work, to do what they need to do to keep other families safe."
Morales also said, "We are a family, right? I was here when Fire Rescue brought her in when she was being treated and it is an emotional issue."
Morales also thanked witnesses who did what they could to help the injured detective. He said he was very grateful that there were people like this in the community.
CBS News Miami's Peter D'Oench caught up with Morales as he stopped by Jackson Memorial Hospital again on Tuesday to visit the detective.
"I am just grateful that she survived this horrific accident," said Morales. "She just got out of a second set of surgeries on her lower body and she is on the road to recovery even though this will be long and arduous. She has the support of her family and her police family in blue and the community at large."
Morales said, "These are life-altering injuries that she suffered at the hands of this violent criminal."
"This hits home hard doesn't it?" Morales was asked,
"Yes it does," he said. "She is part of my family. I have been with Miami Police for 30 years and I am cognizant of how every day the officers put their lives on the line to serve the community and keep it safe."
Miami Police said that Chin had received a number of commendations and had been honored for being an Officer of the Month.
Police said they do have surveillance tape of the incident from their Real Time Crime Center.
