Page 11 - The Wayne Dispatch

Paralyzed boy gets help from Wayne Police

By Carolyn Marnon “Our department has
On September 12, 2020, officers
from the Wayne Police Department built a strong bond with
were dispatched to the area of E.
Michigan Ave. and Fourth St. in the DJ and his mother,
City of Wayne for a serious injury ac-
cident. Officers arrived on scene to which has helped in the
see that an SUV had collided with a
tree in the center median. healing process and
Officers immediately began to
render aid to the individuals in the brought joy to all
vehicle. One of the occupants was 7- of our lives.”
year old DJ. DJ and his dad were
headed to the Henry Ford Museum
to see the special Marvel exhibit. Lit- Ryan Strong
tle did anyone know at that time, but
DJ’s life would forever be changed Wayne Police Chief
that day.
DJ was rushed to a local hospital.
Unfortunately, he was left paralyzed by DJ and his story. The officers at
from the waist down as a result of the police department wanted to
the crash. DJ spent the next three make sure DJ and his mother had a
months at the University of Michigan great Christmas. They wanted to be City of Wayne Police Officers Kyle Talmage and Sgt. Abe Hughes present DJ with
Motts Children’s Hospital. able to take their minds off every- a X-Box this past Christmas from the Police Unions.
Over the next couple of months, thing they had been dealing with for
DJ’s mother, Lindsay Vierk, would the last few months, even if only for with outfitting a vehicle with wheel- $9500 van. In just three days, the
give frequent updates to the Wayne a little while. chair equipment. Lindsay was told funds had been raised to purchase
officers on how he was doing. As Both the Patrol Officers Union that because DJ was not a para- the vehicle. The vehicle was recently
Christmas soon approached, Lind- and Command Officers Union plegic, the insurance company did presented to Lindsay and DJ at the
say was hopeful that DJ would be adopted DJ and Lindsay for Christ- not cover vehicle equipment for DJ’s Wayne Police Department.
able to be released from the hospital mas. Officers presented the Christ- type of injury. Wayne Police Chief Ryan Strong
and be able to spend Christmas at mas surprise to DJ and Lindsay on The officers left that day knowing shared, “I am very proud of what our
home. With a little holiday season December 22, 2020. The two of that they had to step up and do what officers did to help DJ and his
luck, DJ was discharged from the them were overcome with joy and they could. mother. Going above and beyond to
hospital just two weeks before gratefulness!!! The officers immediately started help the community are part of what
Christmas. While at the home of Lindsay and working with the owner of Road Run- makes the
As one can imagine, a three DJ, officers observed that Lindsay ner Auto Sales, a local dealership in Wayne Police Department is such
month stay in a hospital meant that drove a Ford Taurus. While speaking the City of Wayne. The search began a great place to work.
the bills were building up quickly. with Lindsay, officers asked how she to find Lindsay a practical vehicle “The traffic crash was a life chang-
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, was able to transport DJ around in that she could transport DJ around ing event for DJ and his mother. I
Lindsay had recently lost her job just her vehicle with his wheelchair. Lind- in. Road Runner Auto Sales quickly hope the van will make life just a bit
before this incident. Lindsay did say told the officers that she had to located a used handicap van with smoother for DJ and his mother. It
what she could to make ends meet. wheel DJ as close to the vehicle as wheelchair accessibility. is important to remember that offi-
Insurance only covered so much, but possible, lock the wheels, pick him The Wayne Police Officers Associ- cers are human beings. Dealing with
that did not stop Lindsay from mak- up and then carefully place him in ation and the Wayne Police Com- events like this traffic crash can be
ing sure DJ got the best care. the vehicle. Lindsay told officers that mand Officers Association set up a difficult for officers. Our depart-
Officers from the Wayne Police she inquired with the insurance com- gofundme account and asked for the ment has built a strong bond with
Department were extremely touched pany about some type of assistance public’s assistance in purchased the DJ and his mother, which has
helped in the healing process and
brought joy to all of our lives.”
Lindsay Vierk told Click on De-
troit news, ““I want to say thank you
to the Wayne Police Department.
They have blessed us, and I just
want to say they will never be forgot-
ten.”
The majority of information for
this article was taken from the go-
fundme account set up by the Wayne
Chris Cabana and Trish Hampton with Mark Chevrolet present the Wayne Police Officers Association and the Wayne Police Police Officers Association and the
Wayne Police Command Officers As-
Command Officers Association with a Five-Thousand Dollar check towards DJ’s handicap van with wheelchair accessibility. sociation.
The Wayne Dispatch · March 2021 · 11