CAPE POLICE OFFICER RECOVERING AFTER SURGERY

ST. LOUIS -- A Cape Girardeau police officer injured in a May 2 motorcycle accident in Cape Girardeau was listed in stable condition late Friday after undergoing six hours of surgery to remove his right leg and a part of the pelvic bone.

Dr. Kevin Baumer, a resident orthopedic surgeon at St. Louis University Hospital, said Dan Niswonger was back in his room in the hospital, "experiencing some post-operative discomfort, but in stable condition."

The surgery began at 9 a.m., Friday and was completed at 4 p.m.

Baumer said it became necessary to remove the leg because of infection and because of the extent of major damage done to Niswonger's right hip socket and pelvis.

Niswonger was operating one of the police department's motorcycles, assisting with a running event near the Show Me Center, when the accident occurred.

Police said Niswonger was southbound on North Sprigg Street when his motorcycle collided with a southbound van near the intersection of North Sprigg and Emerald streets.

Niswonger was first taken to the St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, then transferred to St. Louis University Hospital's orthopedic unit due to the severity of his injuries.