OKLAHOMA CITY OK April 19 2013– Tragedy strikes an Oklahoma City family for the second time.One of the city’s most inspirational heroes, officer Chad Peery, died following a car crash near Seminole over the weekend.
Officer Peery was left paralyzed after trying to remove some rowdy patrons from a bar back in Feb. 2011.
For two years, Peery endured endless hours of rehab.
Then Sunday, while driving down I-40 east of Shawnee, a van carrying officer Peery and five others blew a tire and rolled down a grassy embankment.
Chad and three of his four kids were thrown from the van.
I knew Mr. Peery did not appear to be in good condition at the time,” state trooper David Brown said. “It hit me and my partner hard. I knew his story and his fight to get back to what he was.”
“He’s done everything to get over his injuries for his family and to have this happen, I don’t know what to say about it,” Oklahoma City FOP President John George said.
During one of his last public appearances at a Thunder game, Peery earned a standing ovation.
Peery’s fellow law enforcement officers said they can’t believe two tragedies befell the same family.
“I think Chad brought the community together for a while,” George said. ”The outflow of support from the community was incredible. I hope he’s been an example for everybody. I know he was for our department.”
“The Peery family lost a devoted son and a father,” OKC Police Capt. Dexter Nelson said. “Law enforcement has lost a valued partner and brother. The community lost a public servant and hero.”
Two of Chad’s kids remain in serious condition, two are in good condition.
The driver, Peery’s 19-year-old caretaker, was the only person in the van wearing a seat belt.
She has been treated and released.
Source-kfortv