Officer nears recovery

A North Lake police officer seriously injured in the line of duty is expected to make a full recovery and return to work sometime after the Fourth of July.

Patricia Tear, a full-time peace officer at North Lake College, underwent surgery the first week of June to correct nerve damage in her back and neck. Her doctor said the surgery went well. A final check up this week with a neurologist will decide if she can return to work in the coming weeks.

“The thoughts and words of encouragement from officers and staff have been wonderful,” Tear said via e-mail. “They are especially helpful on the days I don’t feel very well.”

The injuries stemmed from a Jan. 30, 2004 incident at the DFW Educational Center. Tear was attempting to arrest two suspects she observed breaking into an SUV when the suspects used the vehicle as a weapon, accelerating at Tear and hitting her. According to the DFW International Airport Department of Public Safety incident report, Tear was in danger of death and discharged her service weapon as the suspects fled.

Tear said she couldn’t remember the specifics of the incident. “It’s just hazy,” she said.

Initially, Tear’s injuries were considered minor. “I was given quite a bit of morphine before being transported to the hospital, so the other injuries were not evident then,” she said.

It soon became clear the violent confrontation had left Tear with severely limited mobility in her right arm. That led to five months of intense physical therapy—followed by surgery—to regain use of the nerve damaged appendage.

Throughout the ordeal, Tear had one constant students will recognize: homework. Tear has been taking classes at Mountain View, and although she had to be out for six weeks and can still only make classes intermittently, she has kept up. She said students helped her get assignments and teachers have allowed her an assistant for writing assignments.

“There’s even a student with a lot of classes with me who takes me to and from school on the days I can’t drive,” she said.

But Tear said she is eager to get back in uniform.

She praises her fellow officers, especially Lt. Patrick Beissel, who trained her and whose common sense advice she credits with saving her life.

“I hope the North Lake community realizes how lucky they are having the caliber of police officers that are at the school,” she said. “In my opinion, we have the best police department in the district.

“I am proud to be one of them.”