Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Photo of Bush with officer Jason Schecterle (Badly injured in crash - getting better!)
azfamily ^

Posted on 10/27/2002 5:03:51 PM PST by chance33_98

Injured in the Line of Duty: Officer Jason Schechterle
Information Provided by the Police Department

History

Phoenix Police Officer Jason Schechterle was badly burned when his police car exploded in flames after being hit from behind by a taxi Cab on March 26. The collision happened at 11:21 PM at 20th Street and Thomas while officer Schechterle was responding to a call. The Phoenix Fire Department was also in route to the same call and witnessed the collision. The Fire Department did a heroic job saving Officer Schechterle's life, freeing him from the burning vehicle. Jason received severe burns to his face, arms and upper body. He was transported to the Maricopa County Hospital Burn Unit, where he was treated until July 31st when he was finally transferred to the Good Samaritan Rehabilitation Unit.

The Phoenix Police Department, and especially Officer Schechterle's coworkers at Central City Precinct, would like to thank everyone who has expressed concern over Jason's health since the time of the collision. Periodic updates on Jason's condition and a listing of events scheduled to help Jason and his family will be posted here.

A Message From Jason Schechterle

Watch this video as Jason personally thanks all those that have been very supportive during his recovery. High Speed | Low Speed

News Coverage

Recently the Arizona Daily Star ran a series of articles on Jason and his family. You can read these articles by clicking on the link below.

"Trial by Fire" / Sunday June 9, 2002
"Battling the Burns: Family, victim fight dispair" / Monday June 10, 2002
"Hey, Daddy, This is You" / Tuesday June 11, 2002

Read these articles

E-mail Jason

If you would like to forward an e-mail in support of Officer Schechterle and his family you may do so directly from this page, click here.

Go to top of page

Recovery Updates

Jason continues to do well recovering from his injuries. Check out more information on how Jason is doing by clicking on the News coverage link above.

Go to top of page

You Can Help Jason and His Family

Monetary Donation Information:

A special account has been set up through the 100 Club at Arizona Federal Credit Union to receive donations for Jason's family. The account number is 488931. Please contact René Brugman at Central City Precinct, phone 602-534-6312, with any questions.

Flowers, Cards, Gifts:

Any items to be given to Jason and his family should be sent directly to the Central City Precinct station located at 1902 S. 16th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85034. For further information call (602) 495-5005.

If you would like to forward an e-mail in support of Officer Schechterle and his family you may do so directly from this page, click here.



TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: prayerlist; prayerwarriors
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-23 next last
This guy and his family have been through some extremely tough times of late - prayers up and a thank you to Bush for metting with him.
1 posted on 10/27/2002 5:03:51 PM PST by chance33_98
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: chance33_98

Stepdaughter Kiley and son Zane now read to Jason Schechterle, whose fiery accident left him with poor vision.

2 posted on 10/27/2002 5:06:07 PM PST by chance33_98
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: jwalsh07; Inkie; rdb3; JavaTheHutt; packrat35; cake_crumb; Mad Dawgg; mafree; 11B3; OKSooner; ...
Ping for prayers
3 posted on 10/27/2002 5:07:21 PM PST by chance33_98
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: chance33_98
Bump for Officer Schechterle...
4 posted on 10/27/2002 5:12:29 PM PST by Aracelis
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: chance33_98
Just out of curiosity, is this a common type of accident? It's kind of scary to think that just being hit from behind would trigger an explosion of the gas tank. That cab must've been going pretty fast.
5 posted on 10/27/2002 5:13:07 PM PST by inquest
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: chance33_98
Thanks for this post. It makes us all humble and thankful.
I just sent it out to family and friends. Hope additional prayers help.
6 posted on 10/27/2002 5:13:53 PM PST by sibb1213
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: inquest
It's kind of scary to think that just being hit from behind would trigger an explosion of the gas tank

Not sure to be honest, but I have noticed a lot of supposed problems with the crown victoria's being reported by police departments - not sure off hand if it is related though.

7 posted on 10/27/2002 5:15:31 PM PST by chance33_98
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: chance33_98
That precious little boy reading to his daddy
8 posted on 10/27/2002 5:16:39 PM PST by OldFriend
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: inquest
If I recall correctly, the cab was going 70+ mph. The cabbie went to trial recently, but I didn't see the outcome.
9 posted on 10/27/2002 5:17:03 PM PST by AngrySpud
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: chance33_98
There have been three high-speed (police cruiser) Crown Vic fireballs in Arizona alone.
10 posted on 10/27/2002 5:19:14 PM PST by AngrySpud
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: AngrySpud
I'm speechless. Three fireballs? What are people ingesting that's causing them lose control like this?
11 posted on 10/27/2002 5:23:36 PM PST by inquest
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: chance33_98
Not sure to be honest, but I have noticed a lot of supposed problems with the crown victoria's being reported by police departments - not sure off hand if it is related though.

It's related. Taxi owners - the other major buyers of Crown Vics, are reporting Pinto Redux explosions at about the same rate as the cops are. If you're in a Crown Vic, drive fast to make sure that if you get into an accident, it's YOU that's doing the rear-ending instead of vice versa.

12 posted on 10/27/2002 5:25:34 PM PST by Timesink
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: OldFriend
That precious little boy reading to his daddy

Indeed. Glad to see he is still alive to spend his time with the kids. Despite it all, he is a lucky man with a loving family. Godd bless em.

13 posted on 10/27/2002 5:27:50 PM PST by chance33_98
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: inquest
"Just out of curiosity, is this a common type of accident?"

We in Arizona have had a number of officers killed/injured in Crown Vics. Ford claims no responsibility but our crack Atty Gen, Janet (I love Reno) Napalitano (Governor Candidate -D) has only looked into the problem. No results, of course.

14 posted on 10/27/2002 5:28:47 PM PST by lawdude
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: inquest
I'm speechless. Three fireballs? What are people ingesting that's causing them lose control like this?

With taxi drivers, it's often the simple desire to make ends meet. The tend not to own their taxis, but instead rent them on a day by day basis from the local Taxi Baron. So a certain substantial percentage of his day's fares must be handed over to the Baron, they usually have to pay for their own gas, etc. And since rates are usually regulated in each city, they absolutely MUST drive as fast as possible in order to get more fares and thus make enough money to actually eke out a daily profit.

This isn't a defense of the driver's major screwup, of course, just an explanation.

15 posted on 10/27/2002 5:31:06 PM PST by Timesink
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: lawdude
Ford claims no responsibility but our crack Atty Gen, Janet (I love Reno) Napalitano (Governor Candidate -D) has only looked into the problem. No results, of course.

Well, maybe someone needs to hold her "feet to the fire", so to speak. Maybe we can get a law requiring her to drive around in whatever wacked-up model that cops are forced to use.

16 posted on 10/27/2002 5:35:09 PM PST by inquest
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: Timesink
Yet another good argument against price controls...
17 posted on 10/27/2002 5:37:45 PM PST by inquest
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: inquest
Just out of curiosity, is this a common type of accident?

Actually, Schecterle's accident occurred in March, 2001. It seems that the police model Ford Crown Victoria explodes when rear-ended. Schecterle was the fourth Phoenix-area officer to be involved in such an accident in the same short period of time, and the only survivor. The others were burned alive. We have watched his face being reconstructed since the accident; he has eyes again, and the beginnings of a nose.

Apparently Department policy won't let them buy Toyotas.

18 posted on 10/27/2002 5:52:40 PM PST by BlazingArizona
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: BlazingArizona
My heart goes out to this officer. God bless him. He is going through difficult times. Again, God bless him (I can't say it enough).
19 posted on 10/27/2002 7:08:43 PM PST by giznort
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: giznort
May God Bless This Wonderful Man and Family......
20 posted on 10/27/2002 7:32:04 PM PST by cmsgop
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-23 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson