COBB COUNTY, GA (CBS ATLANTA) -
Two years after a nasty head on collision, a Cobb County police officer is back on duty.
Sgt. Michael Crider was nearly killed during a police chase that ended when the suspect rammed his patrol car going the wrong way on I-575.
It's been a long road to recovery for Crider, who went through four surgeries, extensive rehab and about two years of just waiting for his body to heal.
But after all that he's back on the force in full duty, and he couldn't be happier.
Crider said he remembers the whole thing.
"It was like everything was in slow motion until impact. Then at impact everything sped up," Crider said.
He was immediately flown to a hospital and a gauntlet of surgeries and repairs began.
You would think he law enforcement career would be over, but he said it never really crossed his mind.
"That decision was made within weeks of initial accident. That was always the goal to come back."
But it wasn't easy with multiple surgeries and then a whole lot of rehab. It all took some time; Crider's toughest challenge.
"I missed going to work. Missed my job. That was the hardest part," Crider said.
Then after serving about eight months of light duty, something he said was torture, the wait was over.
"When I got to put uniform on and get in car and go out the road. That was great."
A feeling he hopes continues for a long time.
"It hasn't changed me as far as how I do my job and I hope it never does," Crider said.
Christopher Richards pleaded guilty to multiple charges and was sentenced to 12 years in prison; something Crider is happy with.
As for the accident itself, despite all of the pain and suffering it caused, he said he's glad the suspect hit him instead of someone else.
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