A Cleveland police officer sustained serious injuries early Tuesday morning while trying to coax a large alligator off the mainlanes of the SH 105 bypass.
Sgt. David Edwards, accompanied by another passerby, was called to the scene around 12:40 a.m. and stepped in to try and remove the alligator from the roadway to prevent a potential tragedy involving passing motorists. According to Chief Darrel Broussard, the 10-foot, 3-inch reptile was refusing efforts to remove him from the roadway.
“We couldn’t get in touch with game wardens,” said Broussard, acknowledging that the game wardens have been tied up in recent days rescuing victims from flood waters.
An hour later, when the alligator persisted in staying in the road, Edwards attempted to put a noose on gator to remove him from the roadway. That’s when the alligator snapped around, grabbing Edwards’ left wrist.
“The gator then attempted to roll with Sgt. Edwards’ wrist in its mouth. Fortunately, he did not lose his hand and was able to get away from the gator. He has a huge laceration above his wrist and several broken bones, but he is blessed to still have his hand,” Broussard said.
Edwards, a 20-plus year veteran of Cleveland PD, is currently at Kingwood Hospital where he is undergoing surgeries to his hand.
“We ended up having to take the alligator out. He was removed and properly disposed,” said Broussard, adding that he hopes residents will keep Sgt. Edwards in their prayers.
That’s Police Chief “SPANKY” Broussard.
Shame they destroyed the animal. Edwards shouldn’t have tried to be a “hero” and should have waited for professionals.
He did wait.
Even if he Didn’t..
God bless him..
He couldn’ get game wardens!
Thank goodness for police.
The officers do what they need to do that could change decisions in seconds to protect.
Prayers for the officer I’m glad they are here for our community Back the Blue!
Sam is right, game warden not available. Someone posted on here before that-I’d rather know my daughter was the prize attraction at a New Orleans whore house than to know my son was a game warden…. I feel the same way!
There are many other ways to coax an alligator off the road. My dad is from Monroe Louisiana, and has been a gator lover his whole life! He has coaxed many gators off the road and didn’t manage to get bitten. He also didn’t have to kill it.
They could have done something other than “take it out”.
My prayers and apologies go out to the officer that was injured, but I do not agree with the end result of that poor gator.
Sad they weren’t smart enough to get it out of the road. He gets bit because he’s not smart so the animal has to die. Do better
It’s easy for people to armchair quarterback when they aren’t in the situation. If you want change and say they need to “do better” get yourself in shape, try out, go thru training and make a difference. If it was easy you’d be a LE, so try understanding and support the men and women who risk it all to keep YOU safe….