DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF) – A Dallas Police Officer who was seriously hurt on duty last year is being honored by the department.
Officer Crystal Almeida received a standing ovation Thursday after she was named the 2019 Theodore Roosevelt Award Winner. The award recognizes an Officer who has overcome overwhelming obstacles.
On April 24, 2018, Officer Almeida, a four-year officer of the Dallas Police Department, was seriously injured in the line of duty while attempting to arrest a suspect. During the same tragic incident, Officer Rogelio Santander, Jr. was also shot and died April 25.
Officer Almeida lost permanent sight in one of her eyes. She endures long, painful hours of physical therapy daily. Through it all, Officer Almeida continues to display the same high spirits she had prior to being shot. Officer Almeida’s fighting spirit was instrumental in her survival.
In July of 2018, Officer Almeida returned to duty with the Gang Unit.
According to the Dallas Police Department, Almeida’s ability to return to work after such a devastating incident has earned her the respect and admiration of her fellow officers.
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