Officer Injured During Police Chase Will Lose His Finger
Officer Injured During Police Chase Will Lose His Finger Save Email Print
Posted: 4:08 AM Nov 18, 2008
 Last Updated: 7:56 PM Nov 22, 2008
11 comments
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The Barron County Sheriff's Department arrested Larry Szewcik after the chase.

Deputies say the chase Sunday night started after a report of a gas drive-off at a Kwik Trip in Rice Lake. Deputies say the van described at the scene was reported stolen from Douglas County. A Cameron police officer later spotted the vehicle and tried to stop it but the driver took off. The van was eventually stopped after eight miles and three sets of stop sticks.

The sheriff says a Rice Lake officer was helping put out the spikes when the cord severely injured his hand.

Deputies say he had tendon and nerve damage to a finger and needed immediate attention so he was flown to Regions Hospital.

UPDATE: 29-year-old Rice Lake police officer Andrew Jondreau was hurt. It happened when the rope on a set of stop spikes, thrown out to puncture tires and stop the driver, got wrapped around his finger and the spike stuck to the car. He says it pulled him off his feet and severely damaged his right middle finger. Jondreau says it was a freak accident that could have been worse, but he's having his finger amputated.

He says, "they said there's a fifty-fifty chance of it being useful and I kinda made the decision on the way to the hospital in the chopper there's a chance of it coming off and I have to accept that."
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Posted by: Andy Location: Rice Lake on Nov 27, 2008 at 08:12 PM
Thanks for the kind comments. Fred, sorry to hear you feel this way, however each person is entitled to their opinion. I'm guessing your's stems from some sort of negative police contact. Regardless, my finger is doing well. It was amputated at the second knuckle, so I have a little bit left. I'm hoping to be back to work soon, hopefully by the end of December. I love my job and love helping the people of Rice Lake. "What doesn't kill me only makes me stronger."
Posted by: Julie Location: Rice Lake on Nov 22, 2008 at 07:32 PM
I would like to say Fred you don't pay taxes in Barron County and may your hamburgers at McDonalds never burn! Get a job!! Andy and family best wishes and we will keep you in our prayers at this horrific time for all of you. Thank you for serving our wonderful community!
Posted by: Jane Location: Neillsville on Nov 22, 2008 at 02:06 PM
It's obvious Fred, thar you have no reguard for human life!!! I see it would be a waste of my tax dollars if we would have to fly you to the hospital too!!!! You should loose a finger and not gert flown and you would be screaming for a lawsuit!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 22, 2008 at 12:02 PM
Are you happy now FRED?
Posted by: todd Location: Eau Claire on Nov 22, 2008 at 12:00 PM
Fred, my tax dollars paid for this too. This was no waste. People like you need to move to a mountain top so you can live in your own world. I hope the officer will be ok.
Posted by: Scott Location: West coast on Nov 22, 2008 at 01:40 AM
Andrew, thanks for putting your life on the line to make this world a better place to live. Get well soon and God Bless.
Posted by: Wife Of An Officer Location: Barron County on Nov 21, 2008 at 11:57 PM
Thank you for supporting this young man, my husband is an officer and it is scary now knowing what he will encounter when he leaves for work. It is worth EVERY tax dollar that any person is paying to get this officer the medical attention he needs however that may be, Sandy is right on with her comment. I hope and pray that Andrew is healing and knows that he is a hero, not only for trying to protect the public by stopping an outlandish person - but also just risking his life for all the ungrateful people we have in this world on a daily basis. Everyone's occupation is important - PERIOD, but to degrade and belittle those that serve is ridiculous! Fred I hope you have a runin with these awesome people someday and change your opinion.
Posted by: Sandy Location: Menomonie on Nov 18, 2008 at 11:26 PM
Anytime there is a traumatic injury to your hand/fingers it becomes a high medical priority. Hopefully they will be able to save his hand/fingers and he will have full use of them.
Posted by: Mike Location: Rice Lake on Nov 18, 2008 at 08:35 PM
His finger was torn off, and he also had severe blood loss. It is very disappointing to see the public react to one of their public servants this way. They serve and protect their community. It would be rather interesting to see if FRED has any realization of what a police officer actually does on a given day. I would suggest he walk in their shoes before he judges anyone...use your self sensor.
Posted by: Greg Location: Eau Claire on Nov 18, 2008 at 04:59 PM
First post just show how simple minded some people are. Hats off to the officers risking their life to make mine better.
Posted by: Tony Location: Cumberland on Nov 18, 2008 at 04:10 PM
Your a jerk. You have no idea how bad his hand was. It's not wasting your tax dollars. His insurance covers it.
Posted by: Fred Location: Eau Claire on Nov 18, 2008 at 03:14 PM
I appreciate the fact that the officer was hurt while doing his job. But, to waste my tax dollars to fly him to a hopital because his finger got hurt.ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!!!!
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