NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Paralyzed Metro police officer Danita Marsh was one of the first officers to visit Sgt. Mark Chesnut in the hospital after he was shot several times in the line of duty.
Three weeks ago, Sgt. Chesnut, 44, suffered critical abdominal gunshot wounds when he stopped a Mississippi prison escapee and his accomplice on Interstate 40 in Bellevue.
Nearly three years ago, Marsh suffered paralyzing gunshot wounds while answering a domestic call.
Now, she offers to hope to Sgt. Chesnut, who has a long road to recovery.
"Danita was at the hospital within hours of Mark being shot," said Metro Police Chief Ronal Serpas, at a golf fundraiser for Marsh on Thursday. "She drove herself down there and was one of the first ones to visit him and his family."
Marsh received a $25,000 check from the fundraiser and the same amount was also given to a domestic abuse shelter called Morning Star Sanctuary.
Chief Serpas said, "There are very few people who have lived through what they have lived through and she immediately made herself available to Mark and his family, and that is just another sign of her outstanding personality, outstanding dedication to other officers."
Marsh remains very private and very quiet about her own person struggle that has touched so many but says the same kind of "prayers, positive thoughts and community support" she received will be needed by Chesnut.
One of those community supporters is Reed Trickett, who chairs the 100 Club of Nashville.
The 100 Club of Nashville helps families of police and firemen killed in the line of duty, and more recently, disabled officers, like Marsh, who received a new van and a new house through donations.
"We have tried to give her back some of her choices, and some of her independence which was taken away from her," said Trickett.
With those choices, comes hope for Marsh, something she wants to inspire in her fellow wounded officer.
Sgt. Chesnut is now at a rehabilitation center after being released from Vanderbilt University Medical Center last Friday.
Mississippi prison escapee Joseph Jackson and his accomplice 25-year-old Courtney Logan are charged with attempted murder in the shooting.
A judge has sent their case to a grand jury and the men remain in the Metro jail on more than $3 million bond each.
Previous Stories:
- July 14, 2009: Officer shooting suspects' case bound to grand jury
- July 13, 2009: Injured Metro officer released from hospital, in rehab
- July 10, 2009: Wounded Metro officer takes steps towards recovery
- July 1, 2009: Hearing for officer shooting suspects postponed
- June 30, 2009: Officer's condition upgraded
- June 29, 2009: Officer shooting suspects in court Wednesday
- June 26, 2009: Police sergeant shot during stop remains critical
- June 26, 2009: Suspect in officer shooting attempted suicide
- June 25, 2009: Escaped Miss. inmate, accomplice jailed in officer shooting
- June 25, 2009: Officer critically injured in shooting, 2 suspects in custody
