Hulbert Police Chief Overwhelmed By Support After Motorcycle Crash

After surviving a terrible motorcycle crash, the Hulbert police chief is especially thankful this Thanksgiving.

Casey Rowe took over the job in July, after the chief of 30 years retired, then was in a terrible motorcycle crash.

Rowe said he’s overwhelmed by the outpouring of love from he’s received from the community since his wreck.

He and his girlfriend were on a motorcycle ride back from Fort Smith on October 17 around 9:00 p.m. The next thing he remembers is waking up in the hospital three days later, after a 92-pound, six-point buck had smashed into his bike.

"I had swelling to this side of the brain, bleeding on this side, a broken collar bone and a fractured rib," he said.

Rowe spent a week in the hospital fighting his way back from injuries.

The crash happened three months after he became the new chief, so he was also worried about being off from work, but said he received much support.

"I was amazed how many people came to the hospital,” he said. “They were sending strawberries and fruit baskets, and they set up a benefit account for me and they're fixing to do a benefit to help me pay my hospital bills."

The chief said he's 100 percent now and is back at work for light duty, which he described as paperwork and giving orders.

He said the entire experience has changed him, and he wants to show his loyalty to his citizens like they've shown him.

"The part that's changed me, all this giving to me, I am now devoted to giving back," Rowe said.

The chief plans to keep riding a motorcycle, but, in the future, he said he will be wearing a helmet because he plans to spend the rest of his career protecting and serving the citizens of Hulbert for their love, kindness and support.

"I just don't know how to say thank you enough, it's really tough," Rowe said.

The chief had a CT scan Wednesday and hopes to be back to full duty very soon.