A small North Georgia community has rallied around its sheriff's department after a sheriff's major was hit by a truck as he was putting down spike strips during a high-speed chase in Trenton, Georgia.
Maj. Tommy Bradford sustained several injuries, including the partial loss of his left leg, after he was hit by a woman fleeing several law enforcement agencies from Alabama and Georgia on Tuesday.
Times Free Press file photo/ Major Tommy Bradford walks with his son, Aidan Bradford, after finishing his first day of Pre-Kindergarten class in August 2006.
Immediately after the Tuesday incident, local residents began posting messages of support on social media, and within hours, a prayer vigil was organized for that evening.
Coincidentally, the Piney Grove Baptist Church's annual blood drive was scheduled for Wednesday, and many community members opted to donate in Bradford's name, organizers said. Bradford and his family are members of the church.
Among those posting was the Trenton City Police Department.
Hannah Wooten, center, works to get a blood donation from Alan Paup, left, Wednesday afternoon on the lot at Piney Grove Baptist Church in Trenton.
A second bus was added this morning to the scheduled blood drive at Piney Grove Baptist Church in Trenton, according to Felicia Christopher, donor recruiter from Alabama. "My territory is Jackson, DeKalb and Dade Counties," Christopher said. "Just this morning, we went from one bus and three (staff) people, to two buses and nine workers." / Staff photo by Tim Barber"At this time we ask for prayer for our blue family," the department posted to Facebook.
Trenton City Police were among those who responded to the chase and to the final crime scene where the chase finally ended, which was in the city.
"When we heard the call for ambulance, I assumed the chase had ended, that they actually stopped the suspect," Chief Christy Smith said. "We didn't realize it was one of our own until I heard them say it was one of ours. It was a blow."
Smith, who has known Bradford for about 14 years, said it was a huge relief to see he was conscious and responsive.
Terry Lynch, near right, gives blood as Hannah Wooten attends late Wednesday in Trenton. Barbara Ervin donates, left, as Tootie Johnson works, back left.
A second bus was added this morning to the scheduled blood drive at Piney Grove Baptist Church in Trenton, according to Felicia Christopher, donor recruiter from Alabama. "My territory is Jackson, DeKalb and Dade Counties," Christopher said. "Just this morning, we went from one bus and three (staff) people, to two buses and nine workers." / Staff photo by Tim Barber"At one point someone came over and said that he was actually talking to his wife [on the phone] and joking and cuttin' up with her," she said. "When we heard that, we knew he was going to be OK."
Smith called Bradford and his wife, Mary Ann Bradford, a power couple.
"They do everything," she said. "They're foster parents, they recently adopted a little baby and have six children."
Mary Ann Bradford took to social media Tuesday night to thank the community for its support and has been posting regular updates on his condition.
"I don't even know where to begin," she wrote. "I've always heard your life can change in an instant, I just never thought I would ever get THAT call. I'm thinking about everything that happened today and even though absolute terror and sickening fear took over God spared his life-I know it could have been so much worse."
Tootie Johnson, near left, and Hannah Wooten, both phlebotomists, work in one of the two Blood Assurance buses Wednesday in Trenton. Alan Phup, is seated, at right.
A second bus was added this morning to the scheduled blood drive at Piney Grove Baptist Church in Trenton, according to Felicia Christopher, back center, donor recruiter from Alabama. "My territory is Jackson, DeKalb and Dade Counties," Christopher said. "Just this morning, we went from one bus and three (staff) people, to two buses and nine workers." / Staff photo by Tim BarberShe detailed the extent of Tommy Bradford's injuries as a "banged up head" but no serious head trauma, a broken finger, a broken right shoulder and a crooked pelvis - both of which would require surgery - "and the worst part is his left leg is gone above the knee."
Mary Ann Bradford relayed her husband's words of appreciation.
"He wanted to let people know he appreciates the prayer vigil and the blood drive " she wrote. "He's in awe of the outpouring of compassion and concern. He's still in good spirits and still smiling."
At the blood drive, two donation buses were parked in the church's parking lot Wednesday afternoon. Donors kept workers busy as they filed in steadily, one right after the other.
"I've been a blood donor for years," Theresa Gearrin said as she lay in the donor chair, the nurse instructing her to squeeze a small blue stress ball. "I know the need, and with Tommy's accident, it just makes it more personal, knowing what he's going to need."
Gearrin, a member of the church who has known the Bradfords for years, said she's been praying constantly for them.
"He's really a good guy," she said. "They just adopted a baby. [He's] very well liked. He's always smiling."
Faith Watkins, another member of the church who has known the Bradfords since 1996, described the couple as pillars of the church.
"They're always here," she said. " Tommy is here as our security. He has always been a watchful eye for all of us."
Dade County Sheriff Ray Cross said Wednesday morning that the suspect in the chase, 35-year-old Laura Leann Wooten, targeted Tommy Bradford when she hit him as he was putting down spike strips on the side of the road.
She is facing multiple felony charges and has refused to give statements to investigators, Cross said.
They are awaiting toxicology reports, but results may take about two to three months, he said.
Wooten was a suspect in an Alabama burglary - the reason she was fleeing - and was the sole occupant of the vehicle; a previous report said she was accompanied by a male.
Despite the circumstances, Cross said the community response has been remarkable.
"You couldn't ask for a better community," he said. "I just can't thank Dade County citizens enough for the love, support and prayers shown to this family and our department."
Contact staff writer Rosana Hughes at rhughes@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6327 with tips or story ideas. Follow her on Twitter @HughesRosana.
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