'I'm Going To Fight As Hard As I Can': Officer Adsit Returns To Work
DENVER (CBS4) - Denver police officer John Adsit will return to work Wednesday morning for the first time since a near-life ending accident nearly two years ago.
"I found out last week from my doctor that he was going to give me permission to go into a modified, limited duty position," said Adsit.
A driver hit and dragged Adsit while he was on duty on his bicycle in December 2014. He was escorting East High School students back toward school along Colfax Avenue after they protested downtown. His injuries were severe and nearly cost him his life.
"My evidence box that I finally got had 'fatality accident' written right on it, so the day of the that they didn't expect me to live," Adsit told CBS4's Karen Morfitt.
Adsit went through 18 surgeries and will likely need four more. He described his recovery as an uphill battle that was mentally and physically taxing at times.
Adsit said stories of fellow officers who beat the odds helped motivate him to get back to work, but ultimately it was his family he needed behind him.
"They were worried about hours and 'Are we going to see you' and this and that and the other. They're concerned about what happened, they want to know I'm in a safe spot but they're super supportive," said Adsit.
He said with their support he is preparing for his first day back on Wednesday. He will start off in a new position and just a few hours per day.
"Until they say, 'You've got to move on, John,' I'm going to fight as hard as I can," said Adsit.
Adsit and his family are encouraging people to run in a 5K race next month in Castle Pines North that benefits injured first responders.
Get more information at adsitstrong.org/riseandrun.
Karen Morfitt Joined the CBS4 team as a reporter in 2013. She covers a variety of stories in and around metro Denver. Connect with her on Facebook, follow her on Twitter @karenmorfitt or email her tips.
