PRESS RELEASE
Hudson (Far Right) with the rest of the Traffic Unit
Grapevine Police Senior Officer RJ Hudson is returning to full duty for the first time since being critically injured in the line of duty more than two years ago.
Monday, November 4, 2019 is Senior Officer Hudson’s first full day back on his own in the Traffic Unit. Since the accident that nearly claimed his life, Ofc. Hudson has undergone 11 surgeries and hundreds of hours of intensive rehabilitation therapy.
On October 19, 2017, Senior Officer Hudson was traveling south on SH-121 near Hall-Johnson Road when an SUV swerved into his lane and hit his motorcycle. Sr. Ofc. Hudson was transported to Baylor Scott & White Medical Center-Grapevine with dozens of broken bones, lacerations, and internal injuries. He was released from the hospital on November 22, 2017, where he continued his recovery at home. Hudson ultimately returned to work on light duty, but still faced several obstacles and setbacks in his recovery, including the need for additional surgeries and therapies.
On September 17, 2019, Officer Hudson was released from medical care and allowed to return to work in full uniform. He then spent the next several weeks re-acclimating and re-certifying in all aspects of his job duties as a motorcycle officer.
Throughout his journey, Hudson remained positive and focused on his recovery. The Grapevine Police Department recognizes the sacrifices, dedication, and determination by not only Senior Officer RJ Hudson, but his entire family for their unwavering support and positive attitude. Congratulations to Senior Officer Hudson, and thank you to everyone who assisted in his recovery along the way.
[ Author’s Amanda McNew’s Note: I’m including a list of Senior Officer Hudson’s injuries, but keep in mind it will not account for multiple breaks. For example, his broken hand will count as one injury, but in fact he shattered the bone into dozens of pieces. I’m counting that as “one” because not even the doctors could count up all the breaks. His injuries were so extensive, some of the breaks were not even discovered for several weeks due to swelling.]
Injuries:
- Both orbital bones broken
- Broken nose
- Cracked teeth and filling knocked out
- Ruptured ear drum
- Concussion
- Diagnosed with Traumatic Brain Injury (T.B.I.)
- Multiple lacerations
- Multiple contusions
- Puncture wound right tricep
- Bursitis in left hip
- Broken left clavicle
- Left scapula fractured
- 8 broken ribs (7 left, 1 right)
- 4 ruptures in lungs
- Arterial bleeding & spleen injury
- Bruised kidneys
- Torn right rotator cuff
- Multiple compression fractures of vertebra
- Fractured L-4
- Left wrist broken
- Left thumb broken
- Right wrist broken
- Right thumb, index finger and knuckles broken
- Shattered bones in right forearm
- Nerve damage to right hand
- Ligament damage to right wrist
- Tibial plate fractured in left leg
- Torn meniscus in left knee
- Ligaments & tendons torn in left ankle
- Talus bone in left ankle fractured
- Shattered bones in left foot
- 11 surgeries
- 26 different broken bones
grapevinesource.com 