Published: May 15, 2008 02:19 am            

Injured Fairmont officer remains in therapy

Marion County Law Enforcement Citation Committee presents donation

FAIRMONT — An attack on him last fall by a man driving a powerful all-terrain vehicle changed his life in a matter of seconds, said injured Fairmont Police Officer John Miller.

“It happened so fast. It was like snapping your fingers and it was over,” said Miller, 34, of the Oct. 16 incident.

Still in physical therapy for two badly broken legs — the assault left him in hospitals and rehabilitation centers for four months — Miller said he’s deeply appreciative of the support he’s received from his “police family” and the community.

The Marion County Law Enforcement Citation Committee presented him with a check Wednesday to help pay for his many expenses.

The Rev. Wesley Q. Dobbs, the committee chairman, said Miller was “injured in the performance of his duties.”

Like other officers, Miller was “protecting the public,” risking his life to serve the community, Dobbs said.

The committee usually organizes an annual recognition dinner on May 15 for local law enforcement officers, said Dobbs and other committee members. The day is set aside as National Law Enforcement Day.

But this year the committee decided it would be best to help Miller with a donation.

Susie Hinerman, the secretary/treasurer of the committee, and Susan Riffle, the committee’s vice chairwoman, said the decision to forego the dinner was an easy one.

Marshall Parker, Gene Powell, Reginald Goodin and Brian Toothman are also on the committee. A fund to help Miller has also been established at the Monongahela Valley Bank.

He and his training officer, Patrolman Aaron Dalton, were patrolling near Windmill Park when they saw a man riding an ATV in the park near a playground. A former part-time police officer for Barrackville, Miller was hired by the city police department last July 2. He was still on probation when the incident occurred.

The man was riding his ATV on an outdoor basketball court shortly before 5 p.m. that Tuesday. ATVs and motorcycles are banned in the park.

“The ATV was stalled out,” Miller recalled Wednesday.

Miller got out of the police cruiser. He approached the ATV on foot and from its side, ordering the driver to stop trying to restart it.

Earlier reports that he was approaching the ATV head on when the man got it started and ran over him are incorrect, Miller said.

He was yelling at the driver, saying, “Stop, police!” but the driver kept trying to kick-start the ATV, Miller said.

“This was one of those powerful racing ATVs, which can get up to 80 mph. He actually left skidmarks on the asphalt when he got it started,” the officer said.

Instead of driving away from Miller, the driver “deliberately and intentionally” turned the ATV toward him, he remembers.

The impact launched him into the air. He said he turned a forward somersault before landing on the back of his head.

The kneecap on his right leg was shattered into pieces. Orthopedic surgeons at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown were able to save one sizable fragment of bone. Miller said he’s been told it’s about 30 percent of a normal kneecap.

His left leg was snapped below his left kneecap. The surgeons inserted a platinum brace and screwed it into place.

Now able to walk again, Miller is getting physical therapy three times a week at Mountain State Physical Therapy in Fairmont.

He hopes to return to work in the late fall, but he may have to have another operation on one of his legs, he said.

He’s grateful for the support of his fellow law enforcement officers.

The suspect was quickly chased down. City police, including some officers who were off duty and officers from other agencies, including the State Police and the Division of Natural Resources, flooded the neighborhood in response to the “officer down” report by Dalton.

They’ve also continued to support him in his recovery.

“They’ve been just like family to me — the police department, the fire department, other first-responders — they’ve all been wonderful.”

E-mail Bill Byrd at bbyrd@timeswv.com.

        

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