INJURED SOUTH CAROLINA DEPUTY RETURNS TO WORK

After a childhood of constant movement in a military family, Richland County Sheriff's Deputy Jerry Hurd considered himself a pro at adjusting to change.

But Hurd's life changed forever as he crossed Percival Road on May 26, 2002.

"The next thing I remember, I was facedown on the roadway, and my friend was rubbing my shoulders, waking me up."

He had been hit by a Buick and badly injured. His back was broken, his spinal cord in shock, and his left leg so mangled it had to be amputated below the knee several days later. He was paralyzed from the waist down.

For the next two days, Hurd was unconscious. He underwent a series of emergency surgeries, followed by months of rehabilitation.

In March, Hurd thought it was time to return to the Sheriff's Department, to work part time in the Victim Services unit.

"I just developed a bad case of cabin fever," he said. "I needed to feel productive."

These days, Hurd travels in a specially equipped van and motorized wheelchair.