Arlington Police Officer Speaks About Ramming Incident

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ARLINGTON (CBS11) - An Arlington Police officer is still recovering Monday following one of the more harrowing experiences of her life.

In a a matter of seconds, Haley Thedford went from chasing a suspect to being rammed by him and it was all caught on her dash cam.

Just a few years into her short career, Thedford says she now knows what it's like to be attacked.

"I think it is a shock at first, it's terrifying, it's absolutely terrifying," Thedford says.

While chasing a suspect early Sunday morning, the 2013 Arlington Police Department "Rookie of the Year" suddenly became the victim.

"He's staring right at me as he's coming at me," says Thedford.  "At that point I know he's going to hit me.  That's his plan.  That's his goal.  So that's why I was trying to get out of the way.

Police say Josue Pablo Mendez stopped his car, threw it in reverse and slammed into Thedford's cruiser.

Two days later and not back to work yet, Thedford says she remains perplexed about how this could happen.

Thedford says she was inspired to become a police officer after losing a loved one at the hands of a drunk driver.  She says she expects to be back at work later this week.

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