UPDATE | June 19, 9:55 a.m. — Denver Sgt. Justin Dodge remains in serious but stable condition as of Monday morning, according to the Denver Police Department.
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DENVER — A decorated Denver police sergeant was struck by a turning firetruck during Thursday's Nuggets parade as he protected people from the large, moving vehicle.
Denver Mayor Michael Hancock identified him as Sgt. Justin Dodge. He is assigned to the SWAT division.
Denver Chief of Police Ron Thomas said around 11:30 a.m. Thursday, a firetruck carrying several Nuggets players was slowly rounding a corner at W. 13th Ave. and Cherokee Street as the streets lined with fans. Dodge was near the front of the passenger side. Thomas said people had made their way onto the street and Dodge was trying to protect those people and in the process, had to step closer to the truck, which then rolled up his left leg, trapping him underneath.
Dodge was rescued and transported to the emergency room at Denver Health with a "very significant lower leg injury," Thomas said.
As of the time of the 2:30 p.m. press conference, he was in surgery.
Dr. Stephen Wolf, director of emergency medicine at Denver Health, said the sergeant arrived at the hospital around 11:45 a.m. Once he was cleared by the hospital's trauma team, he was taken to the operating room. Dr. Wolf said he had a "severe limb-threatening injury."
He said Dodge is now stable.
The doctor said while he cannot say the exact outcome for Dodge, the hospital's orthopedic team will do everything in its power to preserve his leg.
