D.C. Police Officer Who Waited 20 Minutes for Ambulance: I'm Not Bitter

The D.C. police officer who waited 20 minutes for an ambulance after he was struck by an alleged drunk driver last year says he's not angry at the D.C. Fire Department.

The initial call for a pedestrian down March 5 came at 6:34 p.m. A D.C. fire engine with a paramedic on board arrived at 6:42 p.m., but no D.C. ambulances were available, according to D.C. Fire & EMS records.

Ten minutes later, a Prince George's County ambulance arrived, and at 7:03 p.m., that ambulance took D.C. police officer Sean Hickman to MedStar Washington Hospital Center with a crushed leg.

“It was quiet and then unfortunately it all went, it all went down the tubes… I really can't talk about it, though I'd like to," Hickman said, referring to the pending criminal case against the alleged drunk driver that crashed into him.

Since the accident, Hickman has gone through 14 surgeries. His 15th is coming up, and there will likely be more. 

"If all goes well, knock on wood, then that will be the last of it," Hickman said. "Time will tell. I’m going to see it day by day. Hopefully I’ll be better and be back to work soon.”

David Moseley, a fellow D.C. officer and vice president of the Capitol Area Law Enforcement Foundation, told News4 the department is good at covering medical costs, but some officers still struggle through the finances of every day life.

"What we supplement is their lost wages. These guys go through their straight salary when they’re hurt," Moseley said.

The foundation presented Hickman with an $8,000 check last week. He says he is missing riding his motorcycle, especially as temperatures warm up.

"It's been a long winter," Hickman said. "It's a little bit frustrating when you can't get back on."

And while much has been made of the 20 minutes Hickman spent on the ground waiting for an ambulance, he says he's not bitter.

"In the end, they were there for me. I got the help I needed to keep me going, so I'm pretty happy about that," he said.

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