On December 28th Coeur d’Alene Officer Mike Kralicek, 33, was shot in the face by a suspect with a .357 during an arrest. The suspect was shot and killed by back up officers.
From the perspective of the Coeur d’Alene PD
As we reflect on the days since December 28th, 2004, we have gone through many emotions. Beginning with the tragedy of having a fellow officer shot, through weeks of uncertainty, to the elation of seeing small steps of improvement.
During this time, we have seen many amazing things happen. The community has shown great compassion in supporting us by being involved in all types of fundraisers and stepping up anyway they can. Our fellow first responders in the Fire Department have also been very supportive, and are working to raise funds for the family. Our law enforcement family has taken “care” to a whole new level. We were caught somewhat unprepared for an event of this type, and to have it move to a hospital/city so far away was at first disconcerting. Seattle Police were involved so quickly, we not only did not have time to ask, they took care of our needs before we recognized what was needed. From the command staff to the officers at the hospital door, they all sincerely did more than we felt comfortable accepting. As I write this, our officer, Mike Kralicek, is still in Seattle with hopes he will soon return to our local hospital. The Seattle Police continue to meet the needs of Mike’s family, and we know will meet any needs that arise. The officers of the Seattle Police Department have truly been an inspiration to those of us who had the honor of being there and seeing their compassion first hand.
As we begin to thank people individually, we run the risk of leaving someone out, which we would not want to do. We are very appreciative of all who have helped, but would like to thank some in particular:
Doug Parker (owner of Parker Toyota in Coeur d’Alene) who had the family flown to Seattle in his aircraft.
Angel Flights - Todd Prescott (plane owner), Ret. Col. Buck Bender (pilot), and Greg Delavan (pilot), all from our local area, who flew two of our staff to Seattle.
Seattle PD as a whole, with the following individuals in particular, Asst. Chief Nicholas Metz, Sgt. Don Smith, Officer John Abraham, Officer Sue Wong, and Officer Ken Napper. The staff at Holiday Inn-Seattle and of course the doctors and nurses at Seattle’s Harborview Medical Center.
To God be the Glory! Sgt. Jim Greensides Coeur d’Alene Police Department
Update: January 21, 2005
On January 21st at 4:00pm Chief Wendy Carpenter held a press conference in which she announced that Officer Kralicek had been flown from Seattle back to Kootenai Medical Center earlier on this date. Officer Kralicek remains in intensive care but has shown signs of improvement by communicating with his eyes and nodding his head. The Chief also read the following statement prepared by his wife Carrie Kralicek:
“Michael and I have been waiting for this time to return home to Coeur d’Alene and with an update. Michael is very much awake and being taken care of. He is recovering but dealing with a serious neurological injury involving both his brain and his spinal cord. At this point is seems that his thought processes are recovering and he is now dealing with recovery and rehabilitation of the spinal cord injury. It is simply too soon to speculate on final outcomes. We are extremely hopeful and are appreciative of the communities support.”
Chief Carpenter stated how grateful she is to the community in which she has resided all of her life. She praised the citizens of Coeur d’Alene for the support they have shown to the family and to the Coeur d’Alene PD
Tickets are going fast for the benefit dinner/auction organized by the North West Women in Business in which all proceeds will go to the Kralicek family. They can still be purchased for $20.00 each at the Coeur D’Alene Police Department, Fire Department and Wells Fargo Bank.
