I saw a car go flying off the road (my estimate is 80mph) and crash into a concrete bridge pier. The bridge won. He had been fleeing from another police agency, but they lost him and I happened to be in the right place. His car was smoking, and by the time I got to him there were flames from under the hood. I opened the door and pulled him out, because he was unconscious and both of his legs were broken. Another officer arrived and we pulled him away from the car, which was quickly being consumed by the fire.

I checked him for weapons and found about $6000 cash in his pocket. I put the cash in a brown paper evidence bag. By then the agency that was chasing him showed up and handcuffed him, since he had regained consciousness. Because of the cuffs and the ambulance crew needing his arm, I took his watch off and put it with the money. I didn't pay much attention to what kind of watch it was, but I remember it had a velcro band. I gave the whole bag to the office who was originally chasing him, to take to the hospital.

He claimed I stole his money and his watch, and sued me for stealing his $10,000 and his $20,000 watch! He lost the lawsuit because of several lies, and hospital video showing the arresting officer walk in following the ambulance, with my paper bag in his hand.

It really stressed me out, because if I had lost that lawsuit, I would have lost my kids' college fund. I'd never do this, but he really made me wish I had not put myself at risk to save him.