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Defying doctors’ expectations has become routine for Burleson Police Sgt. Sean Bolton.
Three months after a motorcycle accident that left him in critical condition, Bolton is back at work with the police force and ready to take life at full speed.
“I refuse to fail at anything. If you get knocked down, get back up,” said Bolton. “The doctor said I’d be down for over a year, but I’m already back to work.”
Bolton was unconscious for the month after his April 19 crash in Florida, where he was vacationing. When he awoke, he found himself disoriented and at the beginning of a long journey to recovery. He said he would soon come to realize the “amazing” support from the Burleson community.
“When I woke up in my hospital room ... I looked up and saw my mom had put up a collage on the wall, and there was this picture of all the people I worked with at the PD,” he said. “And I was like, ‘How did my mom get that picture?’ So I had her hand it to me, and I found out all those people came from here to Florida.”
A blog was created in Bolton’s name so his family members could update friends, co-workers and community members on his condition.
“To say that I am overwhelmed by the support following my April 19 motorcycle accident in Florida is an understatement,” he said in a letter thanking those who did what they could to help him during the trying time.
Losing a month of his life was among the roughest parts of the whole ordeal, Bolton said, but single most frustrating aspect of recovery was not being allowed to do things for himself.
“I couldn’t swallow,” he said. “If I had so much as a teaspoon of water, I’d choke to death. That’s the toughest part, the rehab. Then you have the overcautious doctors and rehab people, who, in their defense, don’t know their patients. They say, ‘Be careful, be careful,’ but I do better if you just leave me alone.”
Because his larynx was damaged, Bolton went to a rehabilitation facility in Dallas on June 3 to learn how to eat and drink again, he said.
“I lost 45 pounds,” Bolton said, because he was unable to eat solid food for weeks.
By his second day at the clinic, Bolton was making progress. By June 12, a stronger Bolton was ready to return to Burleson.
“I came straight to the police department — my first stop,” he said. “I came to the PD first for two reasons. No. 1, they stood by me. No. 2 is that because people had such misconceptions about me, I wanted to let them physically see me walk through that door.”
Police Chief Tom Cowan said watching Bolton come back to work was a touching experience.
“On the morning I was notified of his accident, I thought I would never see Sean again,” Cowan said. “Needless to say, we are overwhelmed that he has recovered so quickly and so well. It was very emotional seeing Sean upon his return from Florida. As Sean mentioned, we are family, and it was very gratifying to see him looking so well. I know virtually everyone in the department feels the same way.”
Burleson Public Information Officer Sally Ellertson, a longtime friend of Bolton’s, said the officer is known for being bull-headed, and in this case the characteristic worked to his advantage.
“No one can tell me what I can and can’t do,” Bolton said. “I’m glad to be back to work and productive with my day.”
Although his duties are the same, Bolton has a peg tube in his stomach and refuses to wear his uniform until it is removed. The instrument was used to sustain him before he was able to feed himself, but it must stay in the body for 90 days and won’t be pulled out until Aug. 11.
“I won’t put on my uniform until then,” he said. “Right now I’m on administrative-duty status. I’m monitoring the red-light cameras.”
Bolton said he is grateful for everyone who has supported him, and he is thankful for the countless individuals who anonymously offered their help.
“It’s just mind-boggling,” he said.
Cowan said he was not as surprised as Bolton was about the outpour of public support for his recovery.
“The Burleson community is very close knit and very caring; they are quick to support its citizens and its protectors,” Cowan said. “Everywhere I went people always asked about Sean's condition and offered to pray for his recovery and return to work. Their prayers have been answered and Sean has returned to the department and the job he loves. We and the community welcome him back with open arms.”
Among those Bolton would like to thank are his family; the Burleson Police Department; the Fort Worth Police Department, for whom his girlfriend works; the Iron Pig Motorcycle Club; St. Matthews Cumberland Presbyterian Church; those who donated blood during the May 3 blood drive; organizers of the Sean Bolton Benefit Concert; Pinnacle Bank; the Burleson City Council; Burleson city staff; the Fort Worth Harley Davidson dealership, which donated a $25,000 bike; Burleson High School broadcast journalism students and many others.
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