An Atlanta police officer who was run over by a car during a traffic stop in July is out of the hospital and back home, where he is still recovering from serious injuries.
"The tibia was fractured. Torn ligaments in the knee. Fractured in the pelvis. The ribs were cracked. But I'm here, so I have nothing to complain about," Investigator Patrick Apoian told Channel 2 Action News as he listed his injuries from the July 21 incident.
Police have said Apoian suffered leg and chest injuries after being struck by the car.
"My first thought was to call my wife and my son," Apoian told Channel 2. "I didn't know what my injuries were. I knew the car went over me. I called to say goodbye."
The experience was rough for Apoian's 7-year-old son, the officer said.
"You got to tell him, ‘Hey, Dad's hurt.' He's dealing with that; he's having nightmares about that," Apoian said.
Now, Apoian said, he must "focus on the positive things ... the neighborhoods I patrol saying, ‘We are here for you like you were here for us,' and my department. I'm real proud to be an Atlanta police officer."
Police are still searching for Khalif Edwards, the man accused of running over Apoian. The incident happened near the intersection of College and Sisson avenues in northeast Atlanta. Apoian was attempting to talk to Edwards when Edwards drove off, according to police.
Two fund-raisers are planned for Wednesday to help Apoian, a nine-year veteran with the Atlanta Police Department.
One will take place at 6 p.m. at The Basement on Glenwood Avenue Southeast. Another will be during lunch and dinner at Steinbeck's Restaurant and Universal Joint on East Lake Drive.
Last summer Apoian started an organization called Humble Heroes, whose aim is to collect donations for ailing and seriously injured police officers and firefighters throughout metro Atlanta.
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