Hi:
My name is Pat Sleffel. I (was) retired from the Floyd County Police Dept after nearly dying in the line of duty. I responded to a domestic and ended up in intensive care.
Here is an article about me that was written. I ask that you read this and visit my web page and sign the guest book. the county has tried to deny me benefits and the fight is on; the medical bills are over $200,000 (dollars). The agency is self insured and it all comes down to: What is a life worth?
I have lost my house and car just for doing my job. I need the help of other officers to prevail. PLEASE read the entries, I have responses from officers from Rhode Island to California and from many countries.
PLEASE HELP, all I need is a few comments from people that might help me. Please take a minute.
Pat
Life-death Struggle Not Over for Georgia Policeman
By Robert Roerich, M.D.
October 14, 2001 began as an ordinary shift for Floyd County Police Officer
Pat Sleffel, responding to a domestic disturbance call that night. The
suspect had fled into the woods and hid after severely beating his wife.
Sleffel waited patiently then spotted the man running away in the dark field. With no backup for thirty minutes, he wrestled the man to the ground and felt a strong, sharp pain in his chest and left arm. His paramedic training told him he was having a heart attack and then suddenly the suspect grabbed his Glock 40 caliber handgun. The gun was now pointing at him. The officer's life flashed before him. His fingers finally caught hold of the barrel and he slid it back preventing the gun from firing. The chest pain was getting worse by the second as Sleffel gained control of this situation and handcuffed the suspect.
Denied a Workers Compensation claim for these injuries suffered on duty,
Sleffel's nightmare was just beginning.
A graduate of several police academies and EMT training with top placement and honors, "Doc" received no critical incident debriefing or support and was retired from his job by his police department. Medical bills soon mounted to over $200,000 forcing him to lose his car and his house, and his credit was ruined.
Unable to sleep and suffering from recurring flashbacks, panic attacks, irritability and thoughts of suicide, all signs of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Pat Sleffel had put his life on the line. Now unable to work, Pat's family suffered as well, his wife moving to Ohio for employment there and to care for their children.
Pat Sleffel moved to Florida to stay with friends and borrows a car to make
the twelve hour monthly drive to Georgia to see his doctor. He avoids
passing near Floyd County, the haunting, intrusive memories of that fateful
night too much to bear.
I almost died on the job, doing what I enjoyed most, willing to sacrifice
all that I am for a stranger. Now I find myself in a battle for what is right with my former employers, Floyd County Police Department. It seems as if nearly dying in the line of duty does not qualify for compensation or recognition.
Regards,
Bob
