La. Deputy who Lost Leg in 2022 Reaches Recovery Milestone

A Louisiana sheriff’s lieutenant who lost his right leg after he was struck during a 2022 ATV chase walked without a cane for the first time recently as he returns to work while he continues to recover from the catastrophic injury.

Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Lt. Edmund Fisher was struck in May 2022 while trying to deploy spike strips during a pursuit in Belle Chasse, WVUE-TV reports. Fisher was retrieving equipment from his unit when a fleeing ATV rider collided with him.

The crash's impact shattered Fisher's pelvis and caused severe internal bleeding. His colleagues treated him at the scene, and he was rushed to the hospital.

"My eyes were closed. I couldn’t see," Fisher told WVUE. "And I can hear them trying to work on me, trying to figure out where’s it bleeding from. … But they couldn’t find it because I was bleeding internally."

Doctors were able to stabilize him, but despite their efforts and weeks of blood transfusions, circulation couldn't be restored to Fisher's right leg. The limb was later amputated to save his life.

"It was either take the leg or die, basically. And death wasn’t an option,” said Fisher.

Fisher continued his rehab and recovery following the amputation. He was fitted with a prosthetic limb continues physical therapy twice a week. This month, Fisher stopped walking with a cane, something the lieutenant has welcomed.

“Not having to drag around the cane all day is pretty important, being able to walk around with two free hands,” he said.

Fisher has returned to work, serving as a field training officer. He also oversees the agency’s drone program.

While he was out, Fisher agreed to reduced charges against the 18-year-old man arrested in the incident. The suspect pleaded guilty to aggravated second-degree battery after an attempted murder charge was dropped.

"In short, we just we didn’t want to put my family and the kids back on the news," said Fisher.