They say a picture is worth a thousand words. To look at it you would think there is no way whoever was in that car lived to tell their story. The picture has a lot to say, but I’m still here to talk about it. I believe I was spared in this crash for a better purpose, to help others not make the same mistakes.
I will start by saying there’s a lot I don’t remember leading up to the crash and the crash itself. There’s a lot to be said and assumed of what happened that morning. I feel confident saying I was driving within my abilities, but the reality is I was going to fast for the conditions. I am a car guy and have respect for all that they are. The only evidence is what you see. All the video and recording systems were destroyed. I took my licks after returning to work and remained diligent and cognitive of my surroundings.
It was July on the California central coast, a place you don’t expect to get much rain. I was working the 2100-0700 shift and there had been a thunderstorm that night. I vaguely remember making a stop for my favorite late night fast food treat. This was confirmed by the mess that was left as seen in the picture of my patrol unit. A call came out of an officer in a foot pursuit on the opposite end of town, so whenever and wherever there’s action, everyone is going to go. My path would cross the busiest block of the city where the first rain always made the roads slick. That’s where it all happened. The call of my crash came in around 0430. It was all hands on deck from there. A chopper was ordered but unable to respond, so in my best interest the medics put me in a bus and drove me to some of the best neurological physicians there are. To this day I believe this is a big part of how I got the care I needed and recovered how I did.
I suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and a broken ankle. We all know with TBI’s, comes life altering changes that can affect so much of who and what you are. These are things that there are no pills for an easy fix. Sometimes it’s finding the right word or remembering the name of someone or something. The worst is anger. I was fortunate it’s not as bad as it could be, but it’s still there. Short tempered, easily aggravated and flustered are the worst. It seemed to come when I was tired or the most vulnerable and unfortunately my wife and kids took the brunt of that. My wife had the stress of being a cop’s wife and now not sure what she would get when I came home. She played a huge part in what I was and supported my choice to get into law enforcement. She had gotten that early morning knock on the door from the Chief and Chaplain.
I went back to the job and didn’t even take that into consideration.
As for the car, the ending was not so good. In order to get it off the tree they had to use a hydraulic ram to spread it apart so the tree didn’t come with it. There were parts everywhere for blocks. There wasn’t much salvageable from it. When it comes to the pictures, they tell you what you would assume. There’s a picture of the car being buried. I always say better the car than me.
A seizure forced me to retire in February 2013. Being a police officer was something I wanted to do my whole life and I had the blessing to follow in my grandfather’s footsteps. Luckily he was alive to see me do it and pin my badge when I was sworn in. It was a great day.
I didn’t have enough time to do the things I wanted to do, but at least I got to do it. I still miss it to this date.
I was able to share my story at the academy I attended. In doing so I hope I was able to affect one recruit. There have been so many articles with that picture portraying different stories but none of them told the true story.
I’m writing this hoping it’s the opportunity to help others in law enforcement not be part of a statistic. Sometimes things happen that are out of your control. How you handle the situation shows who you are.
To all those still out there suiting up everyday and protecting others, remember you’re no good if you’re not there.
Slow is smooth and smooth is fast.
Don’t be complacent in your duties.
Drive with the conscience of your surroundings and within your means.
You are in control of a 5000 pound weapon on wheels.
I hope this finds you well and helps someone to be better.
Damon Badenell was born and raised on the central coast of California. Married with three children, be became a police officer in 2010 and medically retired in 2013. After retiring, Damon worked as a loss prevention supervisor until he returned to a career in the automotive glass industry.
