A Christmastime Miracle
A crowd of law enforcement officers, firefighters, and EMS personnel gathered at the staging area of the old Walgreen’s parking lot in Adel on Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 6, 2022, to welcome home Deputy Tim Bruner with the Cook County Sheriff’s Office from the hospital.
Bruner was critically injured while serving in the line of duty on Interstate 75 on Nov. 27, 2022.
Bruner was performing a traffic stop on Interstate 75 in the area of the 37 Mile Marker Northbound when he was struck by an RV. Another vehicle sideswiped the RV and forced it off the road. The RV hit the deputy’s patrol car, the vehicle he had stopped, and ultimately the deputy. Bruner was airlifted to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital for treatment.
The incident remains under investigation by the Georgia State Patrol’s Troop H Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team.
Bruner underwent surgery for fractures to a shoulder and his left arm. Numerous lacerations had to be sutured, and he was evaluated for numerous broken ribs that were affecting his breathing.
Bruner remained in good spirits and felt blessed not to have been even more seriously injured.
Bruner was released from the hospital two hours before many well-wishers met him in Adel. He has been recovering with rehabilitation. During the event for him on Dec. 6, he was able to walk around and shake hands with and hug his supporters. He was joined by proud family members.
Bruner personally thanked the community for their overwhelming support during this difficult time. “I thank everybody for coming out today,” he said during the gathering at Walgreen’s. “They all came together like a big family.” He also said the medical trauma team did an excellent job.
Bruner said he was especially grateful for all the thoughts and prayers: “I’m a miracle walking.”
Bruner said he would like to return to his law enforcement duties as soon as possible after recovery. The goal is to make the roads safe for people, he said.
Bruner had worked with the Cook County Sheriff’s Office for a couple of months when the accident occurred, but he has been in law enforcement over 25 years. He is originally from Cook County. He and his wife Beth have two grown children and a teenage daughter.
The family urges the community to keep lifting up the deputy and his family in your prayers. Also, pray for those involved in the accident and all those who responded.
