WARREN (WWJ) — A Warren police officer has returned to the job months after being injured during a large fight at Lincoln High School.
Back in April, Krystal Legendre was one of several Warren officers called to the school — near 9 Mile and Van Dyke — as a large fight had broke out.
When officers went to place an adult male under arrest in connection with the fight, a teen girl “interjected herself into the arrest scene” and began to assault Legendre, according to Warren police.
The suspect hit Legendre in the back of the head from behind, causing her to fall to the ground. She was taken to the hospital, where she remained for about two weeks.
Other officers arrested multiple suspects under arrest, including 18-year-old Danasia Kennedy-Johnson of Eastpointe, 18-year-old Xavier Jones of Warren and a 17-year-old girl from Eastpointe. All three were charged with several felonies in connection with the incident. All three suspects’ cases are still pending in Macomb County Circuit Court.
Warren police officials announced Friday Legendre returned to full duty on Friday, months ahead of schedule.
Legendre suffered a concussion and a bulging cervical disk in the neck. She had to undergo spinal surgery to replace the cervical disk in her spine. She spent time rehabilitating, which included six weeks in a cervical collar, re-learning how to do simple tasks such as walking and lifting small items, and two months of physical therapy several times a week to regain her strength.
After several medical evaluations, Legendre was medically cleared to return to work on Friday months ahead of what she and the department had originally anticipated.
Legendre is a three-year veteran of the Warren Police Department and a Warren resident herself. She previously served for several years as a volunteer member of Warren’s Community Emergency Response Team prior to joining the Warren Police Department.
Legendre said she is “eager and excited” to return to work.
“I am excited to be returning to the job I love to do. The first thing I asked my surgeon and doctors is when will I be able to return to work,” Legendre said, per a press release. “I was advised it was going to be a long road and dedication to the treatment plan. I dedicated myself to the plan, knowing that I would be able to return to work ‘someday.’ But ‘someday’ was not good enough for me. I know that any time an officer is taken off the road the community suffers.I mentally and physically pushed myself every day to get stronger and overcome the injury.”
“Ultimately, I would not be returning today without the assistance of a citizen that came to my aid during the attack and the support of my family (both my personal and department family) and friends,” her statement said. “The department supported me through this horrible attack that should have never happened. I am so grateful to be back!”
More on today's top stories: