Chesterfield Police Officer Recovering from Segway Accident

At the end of his shift, Chesterfield Police Officer Jason Stumpf had an unfortunate accident that turned his life upside down. In only a few seconds, Stumpf went from an able-bodied traffic officer to a man with 12 breaks in his shinbone, one break in his ankle and a crushed tibia.

“The pain was unbelievable,” Stumpf said. “I was completely shocked.”

Stumpf was assigned to Segway patrol for the May 21 opening of the Chesterfield Amphitheater when the accident occurred. Stumpf was making his final pass around the park when he moved to the right to allow a group of people to pass by. He ran off the far right lip of the sidewalk, which threw the Segway off balance.

“I stepped back with my right foot, and I think I leaned a little to the left, which makes the Segway spin,” Stumpf said. “I put pressure down on the right foot and spiral fractured my right shinbone. Every bone in my lower leg was shattered."

Stumpf said the accident has imposed limitations upon both his athletics and work. Two surgeries later, doctors have placed a rod down the center of his shinbone, three bolts below his knee and four bolts above his ankle. The second operation properly aligned his foot with his shinbone.

“I used to be an active guy who played basketball and racquetball,” Stumpf said. “It is presumed that I will be able to do athletics in the future, but some athletes say that the rod causes too much pain. I am just hoping that I will have full use of my leg.”

The accident has reduced Stumpf's workload and therefore his paycheck. Tuesday was his first day back at the police department. For now, he's only able to do light duty. Though he will continue to receive regular pay from the department, he is unable to work secondary security jobs.

“I am employed by two churches and ,” Stumpf said. “The extra work means extra pay. I’ve got a baby on the way.”

In order to help Stumpf financially, the Chesterfield Police Association at  in the Chesterfield Mall on June 15. Any customers who mentioned Stumpf to the cashier had 15 percent of the profit from their order donated to Stumpf.

Joe Smith, president of the Chesterfield Police Association, said the organization helps officers with any sort of problem, be it financial or otherwise.

“Most of us work secondary security jobs to make ends meet,” Smith said. “Jason’s accident prevented him from working such a job, so hopefully the fundraiser will make up for some of that lost money. We take care of the guys.”

For Stumpf, the fundraiser was a surprise. “I wasn’t even told about it until one day prior,” Stumpf said of the fundraiser. “I was just so appreciative and humbled."

Stumpf said the accident has made him more cautious of Segways.

“I have worked on a Segway before and have had no problems,” Stumpf said. “It was just a fluke accident, but I don’t think I will choose to get on a Segway again.”