OHIO OFFICER'S RECOVERY TOUGH TO PREDICT, DOCTOR SAYS

For the family of Sgt. Bryce Bezdek, who remains in critical condition with a head injury, Tuesday is another agonizing night. Optimum medical care is crucial in this first week after a head trauma, according to physicians who treat head trauma.

“That's because that is when the pressure is the worst, the swelling is the worst and the difficulty with blood flow is worst,” said Dr. Lori Shutter, a University Hospital neurologist. Shutter said she could not comment on the specifics of Bezdek’s injuries, suffered Saturday when a pickup struck him during a police chase, but she said she was familiar with a similar injury to a firefighter.

Former Deerfield Township firefighter Brad Herrin nearly lost his life 15 months ago, following a car crash, and the 22-year-old said he still struggles with short-term memory loss and continues to undergo physical therapy. "To learn how to walk again, to learn how to talk again, you know, those are things that are going to be extremely frustrating, but the family just needs to remember that it's not, it's not all doom,” Herrin said.

Shutter said each head injury is unique, and the damage done during the initial trauma can never be undone. “But we also have to recognize that people are going to be left with deficits, (and) the range of deficits can be as minor as minor memory problems, minor personality change to as severe as someone not waking up," Shutter said.

The police officers union raised money Monday night to help the Bezdek family during the officer’s recovery, and a fund will be established to help pay for medical expenses. Three people remain in police custody on drug and other charges in connection with the police chase and crash.

No matter what happens, Herrin said that Bezdek already has one advantage in his recovery. "He's a police officer, (and) he uses his courage and his strength to do his daily job,” Herrin said. “That makes him a very strong person, not only physically but mentally.”