From a law enforcement magazine.

Last February we received a call for assistance from the local Sheriff's Dept. They were in pursuit and needed help. As we rushed to help them, I saw the suspects vehicle. I stopped my car in the middle of the lane to set up a road block. The suspects lane was clear. As he came closer, he swerved into my lane.

I was hit head on at 75 mph. I knew my left arm was broken and something was very wrong with my left hip area. I lot of things go through your mind in that situation. I never passed out, so I remember eveything. When I began to move my arms, legs and feet, I was sure I was not paralyzed.

I was extracted from the vehicle by the Ldabel Fire Dept. with the "jaws of life." I suffered a acetabular fracture in my hip and my left arm was broken. My hip and pelvis area was nearly shattered on the left side. I was told that type of fracture is often fatal itself. The suspect also suffered numerous injuries including a broken neck.

He was under the influence of drugs. He later died. I went through four surgeries and several months of re-hab. I now have several plates and screws helping to hold me together. I am back on the street now which even surprises my doctors.

There is no doubt that without my seatbelt, air bag and God's blessings that I would have been killed. Hopefully my fellow officers around the world will learn from my experience.

Always wear your seatbelt and make sure your vehicle is equipped with air bags.

The suspect was believed to be wanting to kill himself. He was on drugs and alcohol at the time of the crash. I guess when he saw me sitting there it looked like a good way to end it and take a cop with him. That is only speculation. But after the crash he signed himself out of the hospital against Dr. orders with a halo on his head. After he got back home he wrecked again and left the scene. Later, he tried several times to adjust the halo himself. He finally died of a possible drug overdose.

James Martin is an officer with the Idabel, Oklahoma Police Department. He can be reached at [email protected]