Grady Newsource-Sgt Gale Returns to Work 2/21/12
An Athens police officer reports back to work after a near death injury. Sergeant Courtney Gale spoke out after 4 years at a press conference today about her road to recovery. Reporter Sanah Sayani asked Sergeant Gale who her pillar of strength was during this journey. Sanah what did she say?  Well you don't typically associate this word with the police department, but hugs, hugs and a lot of them and that is why she says the police department has given her the strength she's needed to persevere.  After 4 years of rigorous therapy and a dozen surgeries, Sergeant Courtney Gale returned to work like nothing happened. And maybe its because to her nothing did.  "I actually don't remember anything from the incident which i think is a blessing from everything I've heard....I think thats the great part because I dont ever reflect in a negative way," said Gale.  In an interview 2 years ago, Sergeant Gale talked about the importance of perseverance...  "You have to have the will to live and to survive you have to live through the pain it is excruciating at times," said Gale.  Today that perseverance has made her stronger than ever.  "It was a long journey in terms of the rehabilitation but i feel great and im very active these days..a lot of people have a hard time keeping up with me" said Gale.  Sergeant Gale was attacked at this Kroger on Alps Rd 4 years ago while working her second job as a security officer. A man named Steven Eberhart started causing a ruckas inside and when Sergeant Gale approached him, he started attacking her.  Sergeant Gale almost lost a leg when her femoral artery was severed. But today she walking right into her 2 new assignments. Accreditation and training. She expressed immense gratitude to her fellow police officers for their support and guidance.  "This is my family, I'm home" said Gale.  Home is such a simple word but to Sgt. Gale it means the world. The accused attacker Steven Eberhart has been through 4 jury competency trials with the most recent one being in December and none of those have resulted in a decision. He is currently at East Central Regional Medical, a psychiatric hospital in Augusta. He has 4 charges against him. 2 counts of aggravated assault and 2 counts of obstuction of law enforcement. We'll keep you updated if any new information comes up in his trial.
An Athens police officer reports back to work after a near death injury. Sergeant Courtney Gale spoke out after 4 years at a press conference today about her road to recovery. Reporter Sanah Sayani asked Sergeant Gale who her pillar of strength was during this journey. Sanah what did she say?  Well you don't typically associate this word with the police department, but hugs, hugs and a lot of them and that is why she says the police department has given her the strength she's needed to persevere.  After 4 years of rigorous therapy and a dozen surgeries, Sergeant Courtney Gale returned to work like nothing happened. And maybe its because to her nothing did.  "I actually don't remember anything from the incident which i think is a blessing from everything I've heard....I think thats the great part because I dont ever reflect in a negative way," said Gale.  In an interview 2 years ago, Sergeant Gale talked about the importance of perseverance...  "You have to have the will to live and to survive you have to live through the pain it is excruciating at times," said Gale.  Today that perseverance has made her stronger than ever.  "It was a long journey in terms of the rehabilitation but i feel great and im very active these days..a lot of people have a hard time keeping up with me" said Gale.  Sergeant Gale was attacked at this Kroger on Alps Rd 4 years ago while working her second job as a security officer. A man named Steven Eberhart started causing a ruckas inside and when Sergeant Gale approached him, he started attacking her.  Sergeant Gale almost lost a leg when her femoral artery was severed. But today she walking right into her 2 new assignments. Accreditation and training. She expressed immense gratitude to her fellow police officers for their support and guidance.  "This is my family, I'm home" said Gale.  Home is such a simple word but to Sgt. Gale it means the world. The accused attacker Steven Eberhart has been through 4 jury competency trials with the most recent one being in December and none of those have resulted in a decision. He is currently at East Central Regional Medical, a psychiatric hospital in Augusta. He has 4 charges against him. 2 counts of aggravated assault and 2 counts of obstuction of law enforcement. We'll keep you updated if any new information comes up in his trial.