Brazeal was involved in a critical accident on June 13, 2020, when he was struck by a stolen car driven by a fleeing suspect near West Loop 820.
Fort Worth Police Officer Matt Brazeal, who endured a life-threatening incident three years ago, is set to make his return to work next month
The officer had been in the process of deploying STOP Sticks and a tire-deflation device in an effort to apprehend the suspect. Without time to react, Brazeal was dragged over 100 feet by the suspect after they abruptly swerved. The consequences were severe, leaving him with a broken pelvis, broken bones, a collapsed lung, and a brain injury. In the following years, Brazeal underwent approximately 60 surgeries and rehabilitation sessions, with his most recent procedure taking place on Wednesday. He remains hopeful that it will be his final surgery.
Brazeal admitted that maintaining a positive outlook had been challenging at times. After waking up from his recent surgery and being told he would have to wait another six weeks before resuming activities, he expressed frustration. Nonetheless, Brazeal emphasized the significance of mental fortitude in his recovery process.
Fort Worth Police Chief Neil Noakes, who has developed a close bond with Brazeal throughout his rehabilitation, commended the officer’s resilient character for helping him overcome the adversities he faced
Noakes acknowledged that Brazeal’s physical and mental toughness were crucial factors in his ability to endure such difficult circumstances.
The suspect responsible for the incident, Ronnie Jackson Jr., 38 years old, was captured shortly after the incident. Jackson is scheduled to stand trial for his alleged actions in September. The Fort Worth community eagerly awaits Officer Brazeal’s return, celebrating his remarkable recovery and looking forward to his valuable contributions to the police force once again.
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