Peering at his beeping pager, Dr. Thomas Scalea couldn?t believe his eyes. “Police officer shot,” it read.
“My first thought was, ?It can?t be,? ” Scalea said. ” ?Another?? ”
Baltimore County Police Officer Dave Garner would become the third law enforcement officer Scalea, chief surgeon at the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center, would treat in one tumultuous nine-day span last December.
Garner, who walked across a stage during his promotion ceremony just two weeks after a bullet ripped through his right arm, pierced his chest, and punctured his right lung and liver after a dramatic manhunt, appeared at a county-organized ceremony Monday to recognize Scalea?s life-saving efforts.
Committed to personally treating all officers, firefighters and emergency workers taken to Shock Trauma, Scalea helped more than 60 law enforcement officers last year.
“There is no worse call than the one when an officer is hurt in the line of duty,” county Police Chief Terrence Sheridan said. “But the knowledge that gives some ease is they?re on their way to Shock Trauma.”
Garner?s Dec. 14 arrival at Shock Trauma followed rookie Baltimore City Police Officer Momodu Gondo?s, who was shot Dec. 5 outside his house during an apparent robbery attempt.
Garner shared a room with state Trooper 1st Class Eric Workman, who requested Scalea?s presence during his helicopter ride to the hospital Dec. 12 after getting shot during an arrest attempt.
It was the second time Scalea would treat Workman, who was hit by a car while directing traffic in 1998.
When Garner was shot, his wife, Beth, said officers who drove her to the hospital repeatedly assured her he was in Scalea?s capable hands.
Scalea, surprised by the ceremony that included Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith, said he was “overwhelmed” by the appreciation. Known for leaving social events to treat injured officers ? once even wearing a tuxedo ? Scalea said he remembers each case vividly.
Laughing, Garner said he won?t forget Scalea, but he hopes never to see him again.
“I thank you from the bottom of my heart,” Garner said. “And liver.”
