Maine State Trooper Mickael Nunez in uniform and showing his prosthetic leg. Nunez lost his right leg after being struck by a fleeing driver in 2020, but he returned to full active duty in 2021 – becoming the first amputee trooper in Maine State Police history. He had to relearn how to drive using his left foot and successfully passed all required physical fitness tests with his prosthetic limb. Full Story police1.com.

Many other U.S. police officers across a wide time range have similar inspiring stories of resilience and determination. Notable cases include:

• Lt. Nathan “Nate” Clark (York County Sheriff’s Office, SC) – Clark shattered his lower leg bones while chasing a suspect in 2020; after eight surgeries the leg wouldn’t heal and was amputated below the knee in 2022. He received a prosthetic and, with his doctors’ full clearance, returned to work without restrictions in late 2022. Now a lieutenant, Clark continues to serve in uniform – he was promoted to oversee the lake patrol unit and school resource officers, balancing field duties (like leading search operations) with administrative leadership. His sheriff praised his determination as “a testament to his character”. Full Story police1.com
• Officer Nick Wiltz (LAPD, California) – Wiltz was a rookie officer only a few months on the job in 2015 when a motorcycle crash resulted in the loss of his left leg. After nearly two years of recovery, 20+ surgeries, and rehabilitation, he was outfitted with a prosthetic leg and returned to full duty in uniform by 2018. Wiltz credits the support of his family and LAPD colleagues, and says he never gave up on his goal of being a cop again. Full Story abc7.com
• Sgt. Marty Dulworth (Anderson Police Department, Indiana) – Dulworth lost his lower left leg in a shootout on July 26, 2012, where he was ambushed by a gunman (tragically, his K-9 partner was killed in the incident). After multiple surgeries and initially returning to work with his salvaged limb, he faced unrelenting pain and elected to undergo an amputation in 2013. Once fitted with a prosthetic, Dulworth made a remarkably quick comeback – just six days of prosthetic training and he was cleared to return. In December 2013, he returned to full duty with no restrictions, becoming an active SWAT officer again and continuing to serve to this day. (His story was so influential that he offers to speak with other injured officers about the procedure) Full Story blog.orthoindy.com
• Sgt. Justin Dodge (Denver Police Department, Colorado) – In June 2023, during the Denver Nuggets victory parade, SWAT Sergeant Dodge’s left leg was crushed under the wheel of a rolling fire truck as he struggled to protect civilians in a chaotic crowd. He sustained massive damage and, while pinned under the truck, realized “I’m losing my leg”. Dodge’s lower leg was amputated that day. Demonstrating extraordinary resolve, he vowed “this is not my last op” as he was taken to the hospital. He rigorously conditioned himself through eight surgeries and rehab, and by January 2024 he was fitted with a prosthetic leg. In May 2024 – just 11 months after the injury – Dodge met his personal goal by returning to full active duty, even leading a SWAT raid as the team leader on May 15. His comeback, completed in under a year, is viewed as nothing short of “epic,” and he credits both his physical preparation and the unwavering support of his law enforcement family for his success. Full Story insideedition.cominsideedition.com

U.S. law enforcement agencies provide robust support systems enabling officers who lose limbs to continue their careers. Departments often grant extended recovery leave and long-term “light-duty” assignments—commonly up to a year off followed by another year in a desk role—while offering adaptive training under ADA guidelines to aid rehabilitation. Before resuming full duty, officers must prove they can handle essential tasks with a prosthetic limb, and agencies support this with access to advanced prosthetic technology that helps restore the mobility needed for police work. Leadership and peer support are also crucial: police chiefs often extend light-duty periods by creating temporary roles, colleagues share workloads or donate leave time, and departments adjust recovering officers’ responsibilities to less physically demanding roles as needed.

Thanks to these efforts, many amputee officers have successfully resumed their law enforcement careers, either returning to patrol or taking alternative positions. Over a hundred cases have been documented across the country in recent years.