Former Diboll Police officer Don Mitchell was struck by an intoxicated driver last Labor Day weekend while on routine patrol and hasn't been able to put on a uniform since.
Mitchell, who was making a traffic stop shortly after 1:30 a.m. last September 4th, when Noel Sarmiento, of Diboll, plowed into his patrol car from behind, sending it into the stopped vehicle which struck Don as he stood on the passenger side of the auto.
Following the incident, Mitchell was treated and released at a nearby hospital, and it wasn't until months later, it was discovered the he had suffered a broken rib and two broken bones in his ankle.
"My bones healed just fine, but I was, and still am suffering with my back." Mitchell said. "After he was sentenced, I was allowed to give my victims statement to him and his family. I let him know the damage that he had done to me, and my family, and after 18 years of serving and protecting, it not only hurt my body and mind, but it also took job that I loved away from me."
Mitchell said, "The Diboll Police Assocation did a great job with the recent golf tournament and raised money to help me and my family out. It sent a great feeling to my family that my brothers and sisters in law enforcement would bend over backwards to help us out. They will always be part of my family."
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