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‘One of the happiest days’: Deputy returns to work after serious on-duty crash

"That is definitely the closest I ever thought I'd come to losing a partner."

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Ore. -- A Washington County Sheriff's deputy returned to work six months after he was involved in a serious motorcycle crash while on duty.

Deputy Mark Demmer suffered four torn ligaments, eight broken ribs and a shattered shoulder blade after the Nov. 13 crash.

Investigators said the Demmer was riding westbound on Beaverton Hillsdale Highway, near Southwest 98th, when a 29-year-old Beaverton woman drove out of a parking lot and pulled her SUV in front of his motorcycle. The crash was ruled an accident and the woman was cited for failing to yield.

“I remember seeing a car pull out in front of me and I remember saying to myself that I knew I was going to crash,” said Demmer.

The impact of the crash threw Demmer 30 feet from his motorcycle.

Credit: Washington County Sheriff's Office
Demmer's motorcycle after the crash

“That is definitely the closest I ever thought I'd come to losing a partner,” said Dep. Craig Wellhouser, who rushed to Demmer’s side seconds after the accident.

“I got on the radio and said, ‘Code 3, motor officer down,’” recalled Wellhouser. “There was a lot of traffic. I was worried about vehicles running him over because he's lying flat on the roadway and he's in black.”

“I’m very fortunate and very lucky to have someone that cares that much about me,” said Demmer.

Demmer spent a month in the hospital, then five more at home. But during that time, his partnership with Wellhousesr never waned.

“Craig was checking on me every day, whether it was bringing me lunch or bringing my dog food,” said Demmer.

Wellhouser even built a special pedestal for Demmer’s dog so he could sit by Demmer’s bedside. On Monday, Demmer returned to work and back at Wellhouser’s side.

“Probably one of the happiest days of my almost 20-year career,” said Wellhouser.

“Never even thought about not coming back,” said Demmer. “I'm just so fortunate that I have a job that I love, a position I love and people that I love being around.”

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