INJURED POLICEMAN UNDERGOES SURGERY

Doctors are saying that Cape Girardeau police officer Dan Niswonger will recover from his injuries, but the healing process will be slow.

Niswonger was seriously injured Saturday morning when the police motorcycle he was operating collided with a southbound van at the intersection of North Sprigg and Emerald streets. The officer was working traffic control at a running event near the Show Me Center.

Upon impact, Niswonger was thrown from his motorcycle into a nearby guywire.

The officer was transported to the St. Francis Medical Center by ambulance, where doctors readied him for transport to the Saint Louis University Hospital in St. Louis for reconstructive surgery.

Thursday afternoon, following the first of many operations Niswonger will undergo during his stay at the hospital, the attending physician was optimistic about Niswonger's chances for recovery.

"Dan's injuries are very severe, and will take a long time to fully heal," said Dr. Marc Shapiro, director of trauma services at the hospital. "But he's alert and in good spirits about everything.

"It's a lot like Humpty Dumpty, putting all the pieces back together again," the doctor said. "He will require a number of procedures to put all the pieces back together."

Shapiro said Niswonger sustained major injuries in the crash, prompting the Cape Girardeau hospital to ask for assistance.

"Because of the extent of Dan's injuries, the Cape Girardeau hospital asked for our help," said Shapiro. "They did a marvelous job in stabilizing him and getting him ready for the trip to St. Louis.

"But they knew we had the facilities and the staff to give him the kind of attention he needs," he said. A team of about 15 doctors, including reconstructive surgeons, plastic surgeons and orthopedic specialists, are tending to Niswonger.

The doctor said Niswonger suffered massive injuries to his pelvis and major soft-tissue injuries to his backside.

"It looks like a severe case of road-burn," said Shapiro. "Because of the amount of tissue that has been damaged, he will require several operations to ensure that infection does not set in, the tissue that remains will survive."

The officer will remain at Saint Louis University Hospital for at least four weeks. Then the long rehabilitative treatment will begin.

"Because his pelvis was smashed like it was, it will almost be like learning to walk again for him," Shapiro said. "He will spend the first three or four months trying to get his strength back, and it will be several months before he will be able to return to work."

Niswonger is taking pain medication and other antibiotics to prevent infection from setting in. Shapiro said that although his patient is in great pain, "He's cracking jokes and trying to stay as positive about the situation as he can."

Cape Girardeau Police Chief Howard Boyd Jr. and other police officers have visited Niswonger in the hospital. But Shapiro said that St. Louis police organizations also are lending a great deal of support to the injured officer and his family.

The doctor said that Niswonger and his family appreciate cards they receive from home, but the family asks that donations be made to the American Red Cross in lieu of flowers.

Those wishing to drop the Niswongers a line, can do so by mailing a card or letter to Saint Louis University Hospital, 3635 Vista, room 607, St. Louis, 63110.

"We're doing all we can for him right now," Shapiro said. "To be honest, the outlook is pretty good."