Warren Police Patrol Officer Krystal Legendre is back to work effective Aug. 2 after being injured in the line of duty in April.
“I am excited to be returning to the job I love to do,” said Legendre. “The first thing I asked my surgeon and doctors is when will I be able to return to work.”
On April 22, Legendre and several other officers responded to a large fight at Lincoln High School on Nine Mile Road just east of Van Dyke Avenue. Officers arrived on scene and went to place an adult male under arrest.
During the arrest of this male, a juvenile female allegedly interjected herself into the arrest scene and began to assault Officer Legendre. A juvenile female suspect struck Legendre in the head from behind, which caused her to fall to the ground, police said.
Multiple other responding officers arrived on scene and placed the suspects under arrest.
Legendre was transported to an area hospital wherein she remained hospitalized for approximately two weeks before being released.
“I was advised it was going to be a long road and (would require) dedication to the treatment plan,” Legendre said. “I dedicated myself to the plan, knowing that I would be able to return to work someday.”
Legendre suffered a concussion and bulging cervical disc in the neck from the incident and underwent spinal surgery to replace the cervical disk in her spine. She spent significant time rehabilitating, including six weeks in a cervical collar, relearning how to do simple tasks like walking and lifting small items, and two months of physical therapy several times a week.
After several medical evaluations, Legendre was medically cleared to return to work last Friday, months ahead of what she and the Warren Police Department had originally anticipated.
“Initially, none of us believed Officer Legendre would be able to return to work in such a quick amount of time given the type of injuries she suffered during this senseless assault,” said Acting Police Commissioner Charles Rushton. “The fact that Officer Legendre was hospitalized trying to break-up a fight at a high school shows the potential dangers officers face every day.
“I know that I, along with every member of this department, am excited to see Officer Legendre and welcome her back to work.”
Ultimately, 18-year-old Danasia Kennedy-Johnson of Eastpointe, 18-year-old Xavier Jones of Warren, and a 17-year-old juvenile female from Eastpointe were charged with several felonies for their role in this incident. All three suspects’ cases are still pending in Macomb County Circuit Court.
Legendre is a three-year veteran of the Warren Police Department, a Warren resident herself, and a previously served for several years as a volunteer member of Warren’s Community Emergency Response Team prior to joining the department.
“Ultimately, I would not be returning today without the assistance of a citizen that came to my aide during the attack and the support of my personal and department families and friends,” said Legendre. “The department supported me through this horrible attack that should have never happened. I am so grateful to be back.”