A tragedy with a silver lining: Officer Dan Davies

Lawhead asked that I come down to the downtown San Bernardino Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board, where a 24-year-old officer who was paralyzed in an on-duty accident earlier this year would be getting a hearing on whether the city would buy him a small SUV outfitted with hand controls.

The officer, Dan Davies, drove a stick-shift compact car before his accident.

Davies was there Wednesday morning, along with his wife Jodie, Lawhead and union vice president Hank Birkes.

Birkes and Lawhead were fired up early, lambasting the city for foot-dragging on getting the injured officer a suitable vehicle and reimbursing him $2,800 for 51-days of having to rent a vehicle to get around.

(note, I wish I knew when and exactly how officer Davies was injured, but I don't. There seems to be nothing in Sun or PE archives about the incident. Readers, help us out here).

Lawhead held up a brochure of a minivan the city had supposedly offered: "It's beyond me," Lawhead said. "They make a guy who worked to keep us safe hassle with borrowing cars from family members and renting, and then they want to tell him what kind of car he can have? From day 1 they've tried to shove the minimum down his throat."

So there we sat, talking, myself, Birkes, Lawhead, and Mr. and Mrs. Davies.

Birkes said he couldn't believe the city had "dragged their feet for seven months" while Dan and Jodie have struggled to adapt to a new life.

Davies, who sat in a wheelchair looking even younger than he is, didn't complain much, but was unfailingly polite in his dealings with the elder Lawhead and Birkes. He and Jodie held hands while sitting in the crowded, bustling waiting room. He said he just wanted an SUV with doors wide enough that he didn't have to disassemble his wheelchair every time he got in for a drive.

It looked at that point like we had a story, sitting in the waiting room with a looming legal clash over these particulars: The type of car and the reimbursement for the rental.

But then, moments later, the city's attorney came out, met with Davies attorney, and the injured officer and union reps were soon told there desires would be met.

Davies wheeled out of the building, his wife at his side. Lawhead and Birkes said they were satisfied, but would take nothing for granted until Davies had his car and his money.

We'll keep an eye on this story, and perhaps do a larger piece on Davies some time.

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Note: Readers have emailed me with more information on officer Davies. Thank you.

Here is some info that came from a reader who forwarded an excerpt from the Police Officers Research Association Web site:

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March 2007 one of our Law Enforcement family members, Officer Dan Davies. was injured in a traffic collision. Officer Davies was responding to assist another officer when he was involved in a single car accident. During the accident the patrol unit he was driving rolled and struck a building. The collision left Officer Davies paralyzed from the waist down. The full extent of Officer Davies injuries are still unknown.

Officer Davies graduated Redlands East Valley High School in 2001. He then attended Viola University for approximately a year. Officer Davies started his Law Enforcement career in 2005 attending the San Bernardino County Sheriffs’ Academy Class #160 and graduated in September of 2005. Since completion of the field training program Officer Davies had been assigned to the Graveyard shift. Officer Davies is also engaged to be married in June of this year.

The outpouring of concern from the City, the Department, and also the Community has been tremendous . Many had expressed the desire to make donations to assist Dan with any needs he may have to assist in his recovery. The San Bernardino City Police Officers Association set up the “Officer Dan Davies Relief Account”. This account will help insure Dan is able to obtaining what he might need or want in an effort to get some normality back in his life. We are still unsure what that might be. Throughout the tragedy Dan has remained strong and has an unbelievable positive attitude. Dan has tremendous support from his family, Fiance, and friends.

To all those who have donated to Dan’s relief fund. The San Bernardino Police Officers Association would like to send out a heart felt THANK YOU.

For those who wish to donate your donation can be sent to the SBPOA C/O Officer Dan Davies Relief Fund”. PO BOX 2967, San Bernardino, Ca 92406. We can also be reached at our business office Mon-Thur at 909-889-0661.

The San Bernardino Police Officers Association has a non-profit organization status under IRS 503(c)5.