Arlington Officer Wounded During Undercover Operation
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OAK CLIFF (CBS11) - An Arlington officer shot while working an undercover operation in Southwest Dallas remains hospitalized; but, is expected to make a full recovery. His name and picture will not be released because of the nature of his work. But, when it comes to close calls: they don't get much closer.
The bullet riddled black SUV limped into a nearby Shell gas station on flattened tires. But, it had served its purpose: whisking undercover officers out of the line of fire.
"Around 6:40 this morning, we were notified that one of our officers that participate in a federal task force was shot in Southwest Dallas," says Lt. Christopher Cook, a spokesperson for the Arlington Police Dept.
The officer was taken by ambulance to Methodist Medical Center Dallas. Fellow officers hurried to the hospital to show support. Soon, one would leave flashing a thumbs up sign: and sure enough, the word to follow was all good.
"Our officer is going to be fine," said Lt.Cook during a briefing with reporters, "he's in good spirits, he's talking… he's surrounded by friends and family."
Police aren't discussing the extent of the officer's injuries... only saying he is expected to make a full recovery: a recovery no doubt aided by how quickly he was able to get help.
"Time is money, time is blood," says Michael Foreman, M.D. "We have this thing called the 'golden hour' after injury. That's actually an over-estimate. The sooner that you can get to care the better it is." Dr. Michael Foreman is the trauma medical director at Baylor Dallas. He says gun shot wounds are like real estate: it's all about location. The patient's physical condition is also a factor.
"You also have to take into consideration what the patient was like to start with--the same injury in a healthy 20 year old, versus an 80-year-old is going to have very different outcomes."
The wounded officer is now receiving get well wishes from around the world posted to the department's Facebook page.
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