Edmond motorcycle police officer Joe Wells on road to long recovery after collision
If you were to ask Joe Wells’ friends what kind of person he is, they would say he’s a doer, not a talker.
The Edmond police officer is a Marine, an avid jiujitsu fighter and a powerlifter. His friends say he's also a loving husband and a proud father of two who gives back to his community, but doesn’t seek the spotlight.
The 16-year veteran of the police force helped create the annual Edmond Police Department vs. Edmond Fire Department powerlifting tournament that donates all proceeds to Oklahoma Special Olympics.
Now, however, the community is giving back to Wells and his family.
For more than a month, Wells, who patrolled Edmond as a motorcycle officer, has been recovering from a violent crash at the end of a pursuit.
Wells, 40, was thrown about 130 feet after being hit while trying to stop the fleeing truck.
He sustained life-threatening injuries and was sent to OU Medical Center. He underwent multiple surgeries, survived pneumonia twice and was unconscious for several weeks.
On Monday, the Edmond Police Department said Wells has been moved to an advanced care facility after completion of his last surgery. He has been “alert and talkative” and will start physical rehabilitation in the coming weeks, according to a Facebook post from the department.
Prodigy Jiujitsu held a benefit tournament on Saturday in Edmond to raise money for the family of Wells, who has participated in mixed martial arts for more than 10 years.
A GoFundMe effort has raised nearly $9,000.
“He’s a tough guy,” said Jeff Lindsey, who Wells met about a decade ago through a mutual interest in jiujitsu and motorcycles. “We all agree. That’s what saved him. He took care of himself and was in shape. He was always bettering himself; working out and lifting.”
Lindsay said his friend never passed up a chance to ride his motorcycle. Wells' personal bike is an Indian Springfield Dark Horse.
In June, Wells and his wife, Cheridan, rode with Lindsey and other friends to North Carolina. The trip took them through all 318 windy curves of the 11-mile Tail of the Dragon motorcycle road, one of the most famous motorcycle-riding roads in the world.
“He started riding in the past 10 years and fell in love with it,” Lindsey said. “Enough to want to do it every day as a motorcycle officer. Riding in all conditions. He once posted a picture patrolling on his police cruiser when it was 19 degrees.”
Just three months after that trip, Wells was fighting for his life.
Driver of truck that hit Edmond officer facing 7 felony charges
Sept. 23 started as a typical day. Wells wore his helmet and sunglasses as he patrolled on his motorcycle through Edmond on a bright and sunny Friday afternoon.
Just down the road, his fellow officers were pursuing a pickup that had caused several wrecks. Wells joined the pursuit around 1:50 p.m.
Southbound in the 14000 block of N Eastern Avenue, the truck made a U-turn and headed toward Wells, who had come to a stop, police said.
Wells fired one round at the vehicle before it collided with him and his motorcycle, police said.
Wells was thrown from his motorcycle into a nearby ditch but was responsive as medical personnel carried him into an ambulance and rushed him to an OU Health facility.
Police pulled Garrett Trammell, 24, from the pickup. Police said Trammell was not struck by the bullet Wells fired, but he was taken to the hospital for evaluation.
Trammell faces seven felony charges, including assault and battery by means or force likely to produce death, endangering others while attempting to elude a police officer and leaving the scene of an injury collision.
The Oklahoma City Police Department, which is investigating the incident, expects to receive the toxicology reports for Trammell soon.
Trammell remains at the Oklahoma County jail with bail set at $950,000 while his case winds through Oklahoma County District Court.
Wells was the second Edmond motorcycle officer to be critically injured in less than three months. Sgt. C.J. Nelson, 38, died in July after being hit at a stoplight by a vehicle.
Edmond police officer Joe Wells described as 'big, strong, stoic'
When Wells first organized the powerlifting tournament in 2018, he met Brian Attebery, owner of Results Fitness and Nutrition Center in Edmond, where the event is annually held. Over the years, they have become good friends through their mutual interest in charity and fitness.
“Joe’s a big, strong, stoic guy,” Attebery said. “He’s got a big heart. He donated so much of his time to plan the event. He spoke with the board of the Special Olympics, contacted sponsors and organized merchandise.”
This year, proceeds from the event went to the family of Sgt. Nelson.
Edmond Police Sgt. Jason Rigsby and Wells formed a close bond through their police and military background.
When they met at the Edmond Police Department 15 years ago, Wells asked Rigsby, an Army veteran, why he didn’t join the Marines. Rigsby laughed and said his test scores were too high. They’ve been friends ever since.
“He’s the strongest man I know,” Rigsby said.
That strength likely has Wells headed in a positive direction on a long road to recovery.
“I think that’s the frustrating part,” Attebery said. “Given a chance to defend himself, that suspect wouldn’t stand a chance with a guy as heavily trained as Joe is.”
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Edmond motorcycle officer Joe Wells recovering after vehicle pursuit
