| You can't keep a good woman down |
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Officer Wright was seriously injured in a shooting on Sept. 13 in southwest Miami-Dade that injured two other officers, Tom Tundidor and Chris Carlin, and killed Miami-Dade Police Officer Jose Somohano. Wright was shot in the leg with a round from an AK-47. The bullet destroyed three inches of bone below her knee and the severity of the injury had doctors concerned at first that they might need to amputate her leg. A month later she was at home, up and walking with the assistance of a walker, telling a steady stream of visitors that the pain "isn't too bad." Wright has undergone two operations that allowed doctors to not only save her leg but place her on the path for a full recovery. "I really want to a thank Jackson Memorial Hospital and Dr. James J. Hutson, MD, from Trauma and Orthopedic, and all the nurses and technicians, especially Andy Goodwin," said Wright. "When I left the hospital, they told me they were sad that I was leaving but they were happy I was going to be okay." The news makes Wright, who still faces two more surgeries and about a year-long recovery, smile. Spend just five minutes with Wright and you will notice two things - her contagious smile and a fighting determination. If Wright had it her way, she'd be back at work tomorrow - back to a job that she says chose her. "I wasn't someone who dreamed of being a police officer. I actually think that the job chose me. I love everything about it," said Wright who's been out of the academy for two years. Wright, who was born in Kingston, Jamaica and worked for Air Jamaica prior to joining the Miami-Dade Police Department, says she joined the department because she was looking for professional stability. But once she got a taste of police work she knew it was her calling. "No day is the same. There is no monotony," said Wright. But what she loves most about her job is meeting new people every day. When Wright was in the academy she listed Cutler Ridge as her first choice assignment. After graduation, she got it. "I love the diversity of people who live in the Cutler Ridge District," said Wright. "I love the road and serving the community." Cutler Ridge loves her too. Not just the officers and squad members who constantly check on her, but the entire community - including those she has arrested. While in the hospital Wright was getting calls from people she arrested sending her well-wishes. And at a walk against violence in Cutler Ridge, which was Wright's first public outing, a woman with her son came up to Wright and handed her a card and a balloon. Wright had arrested the woman's son. The son told Wright he's trying to get his life back on track. "Just because I've taken someone to jail doesn't mean I disrespected them. I've learned you don't need to be discourteous to people to do your job," said Wright. "I believe that just because I chose one path and you chose another doesn't mean we need to disrespect each other."Jody also loves the challenges of the job and she says she knew the danger that goes with the job when she signed up. "What this incident has shown is the dangers that officers face and it has certainly brought to light the dangers of these types of assault weapons," said Wright. "It takes special people to be police officers. They go into it knowing the dangers. That's how I look at this. I knew the danger and it is part of my job." Wright's calm attitude was apparent on the shooting scene as well. A communications officer who came to visit said that you couldn't tell how seriously Wright was injured because her transmission was so calm and clear. Wright's response: "I knew I had important information to get out." Wright also wanted to get herself up off the ground when fire rescue arrived. "They keep looking at me like I was crazy. I didn't know the extent of the injury. I just wanted to get up." Now, spend five minutes with Wright's parents and you know where her strength and practical attitude come from. Both of her parents are helping her get through one of the toughest experiences an officer can face. Wright says that her parents have taught her that obstacles will come, you get through them and move on. "It happened to me, it's over and I have to move on," said Wright. As Wright was in the hospital, her mom, Janis Dalley, kept a positive attitude. "I never said 'Why Jody?' In our family, we feed off each other's strength," said Ms. Dalley, "We had so much support at the hospital and throughout this process." While Janis Dalley was waiting for news, Wright's father, Dennis, was on a flight from Jamaica. "It was the longest flight ever. "I thank God that she is with us," said Dennis Dalley. "I thank God that she is alive and I am so proud of how strong she has been." Her parents say they never blamed the job or told her not to go back. "She chose a path of law and order. I wanted to do it, to be a law enforcement officer. I was excited when I heard that she had chosen that path," said Mr. Dalley. "She's a fighter. What she can take, I don't know if I could." Wright's mom knows the pressure law enforcement officers face and knows a strong support system is needed from their families. "Law enforcement is a team effort. Law enforcement families have to be there for encouragement. We know they will miss family events while they are serving the community; we want to make sure they have clear minds, so we step up at home," said Janis Dalley. While she is recovering, Wright is trying to keep busy. She is a student at FIU working on her BA & MA in Criminal Justice and she says that she has lots of thank-you cards to write, too. "The support has been overwhelming and amazing from the department and the community. I'm amazed. It is such a pleasant surprise," said Wright. Wright wants to thank all the officers who visited, all who sent prayers, especially her station Platoon 3 Squad A, and Sgt. Daniel Hanna. Her father also has special thanks he wanted to extend to the force, especially Lieutenants Ed Howett and Jennifer Montgomery from Cutler Ridge. And to all those officers who were and are on duty, and the friends of Jody who have been there and had her in their thoughts and prayers.
"Words just aren't enough. Be strong. Continue the encouragement," said Dennis Dalley. "We are so thankful that she is here and will spend Thanksgiving with her family and friends." As Wright rests on her sofa, her dog sits beside her. Wright looks down at him. "Marley is glad I'm home too," she says with a broad smile. So are we. Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites          Comments (0)
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The holidays are the time of the year that most of us sit down together with those we love and count our blessings: family, friends, health, and hopefully a job we love. For Miami-Dade Police Officer Jody Wright, being thankful for these blessings is something she does daily, but this year she and her family had something to truly give thanks for - the fact that she is alive.
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