On Wednesday November 25th APD Police Chief Robert Taylor awarded Officer Justin Scherlen the Purple Heart Citation this morning.
The award states
On September 8, 2015 at approximately 0640 hours, Officer Justin Scherlen was driving patrol unit #7340 westbound in the 2800 block of West 34th Avenue. A four-door Jeep was traveling eastbound in the same block of West 34th Avenue towards Georgia Street. The Jeep crossed over the center lane of travel and came into Officer Scherlen’s lane. The vehicles collided almost head-on. The driver’s compartment of the patrol car sustained catastrophic damage, and Officer Scherlen was trapped in the vehicle for approximately one hour while Amarillo firefighters worked to extricate him. Officer Scherlen suffered numerous broken bones and other major traumatic injuries as a result of the crash, some severe enough to require multiple surgeries and months of extensive physical rehabilitation. For injuries received during the performance of his official duties, Officer Justin Scherlen is herby awarded the Purple Heart Citation.
The Traffic Investigation Unit continues its investigation into the collision. No charges have been filed and investigators are still awaiting test results.
