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STAMFORD, Conn. Stamford police Officer Troy Strauser has gone through three surgeries at Norwalk Hospital since early Thursday and remained in critical condition after falling 20 feet from a bridge during a foot pursuit of a suspect, Sgt. Joseph Kennedy said.
Strauser, 38, a father of three and six-year veteran of the Stamford police, briefly awoke and voiced concern for his family, Kennedy said.
One suspect is under arrest and Kennedy said authorities are searching for a second suspect.
"We have some serious injuries we're dealing with here, and Norwalk Hospital has been tremendous in their response and their professionalism," Kennedy said after a news conference Thursday afternoon. "We're just asking for everyone to pray for Officer Strauser and his family. He's a very private person and family is - like for most of us - everything."
During a chase on the Fairfield Avenue bridge above I-95, a robbery suspect jumped into a wooded area near the abutment and made his way down to the highway, a statement said.
Strauser was unable to see the edge of the structure and dropped 20 feet, landing face down, the statement said. Lisa Cotto of the Norwalk Police Department said he was bleeding heavily and had injured his arm.
Kennedy said Strauser was being treated for serious facial injuries, and doctors were doing exploratory surgery for internal injuries as well.
"He's an outstanding officer," Kennedy said. "He's a good guy, a quiet guy, and he does his work. He's very well-respected by his peers."
The suspect was confronted by Norwalk and Stamford police on the other side of the highway, where, police say, he assaulted and choked a Stamford Police canine before being arrested. He was then transported to Stamford Hospital for treatment and is being held by Stamford police, the statement said.
The incident began in Stamford shortly after 1 a.m. when a report came in of two men beating and robbing another near West Main and Diaz streets, the statement said. While escorting the ambulance with the victim to the hospital, police saw a white BMW matching the description given in the call and pursued it, the release said.
The victims wallet was reported missing, and the victim was unable to provide details of the incident because he needed medical treatment, the statement said.
The pursuit took officers onto I-95 before the suspect got off at Exit 9 and continued on the Post Road into Darien before getting back on the highway. Two of the BMW's tires were damaged driving over stop spikes, the statement said. The vehicle then crashed attempting to get off the highway at Exit 14, and the foot pursuit began, the statement said.
Frank Douglas, 30, of 43 Lincoln Ave., in Norwalk, was arrested and charged with second-degree robbery, assault on a police officer, cruelty to animals, interfering with a police officer, engaging in a pursuit and multiple motor vehicle charges. His bond has been set at $500,000.
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