ICE officer hurt during Oklahoma City chase is paralyzed

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A US Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer who was hurt while chasing suspected illegal immigrants in Oklahoma City is paralyzed and in a hospital.<br/><br/>ICE spokesman Carl

Thursday, January 19th 2006, 10:49 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A US Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer who was hurt while chasing suspected illegal immigrants in Oklahoma City is paralyzed and in a hospital.

ICE spokesman Carl Rusnok says the 40-year-old officer is stable, alert and improving. The officer's name hasn't been released and Rusnok declined to provide details about his injuries.

The officer was chasing 18 Hispanic men who were in a van that was stopped on Interstate 40 by a Yukon police officer. Initial reports said some of the men attacked the officer, but officials now say he may have been stepped on instead.

Nine of the 18 suspected illegal immigrants are in custody and immigration officials say they're relying on tips from the public to catch the nine who remain at large.