Ride held for SMPD officer who lost her leg
SAN MARCOS, Texas - On Saturday, hundreds of motorcyclists hit the open road in honor of San Marcos Officer Claudia Cormier. "She's just a go getter she's out there she's at everybody's call she's just an awesome officer all around,” said Daniel Castillo, with San Marcos Police Department.
They began their ride at Happy Cow Bar and Grill in New Braunfels and made their way to Devils Backbone. The ride was to raise money for Officer Cormier. "She put the uniform on that night and was committed to whatever may happen," said Audry Verver, with the San Marcos Police Department.
On May 18, Officer Cormier responded to a call to clean up debris on I-35. While doing her job police say 58-year-old Neil Sheehan was driving drunk and hit her with his SUV.
Officer Cormier was rushed the hospital with severe life threatening injuries.
Police arrested Sheehan and charged him with Intoxication Assault on a Public Servant and Failure to Slow Causing Serious Bodily Injury. Officer Cormier lost her right leg as a result. "That night she still had her chin up and said she wasn’t giving up. I'm going to keep going and she signed up for it and she doesn't regret,” said Verver.
Since then she's undergone a number of surgeries and has been on the road to recovery. "But we're going to be with her every step of the way,” said Astid Mcinley.
"I think it's going to change things but I don't think it's going to hold her back. She's not going to give she will find a way to continue to be involved in law enforcement,” said Verver.
Her brothers and sisters in blue say Officer Cormier is in high spirits, but say she has a long road ahead of her. "She's going to overcome it and she will be back on the streets in no time taking calls and be an officer,” said Verver.
Organizers with event say they collected more than $11,000. They say all the money donated will go straight to Cormier and her family to help with medical expenses. There will be another benefit held by the San Marcos Police Department on Thursday at Hays County Barbecue.
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