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IA: Retired Muscatine Police officer falls from deer standRetired Muscatine Police officer falls from deer stand January 20, 2011 MUSCATINE, Iowa — As a member of the Muscatine Police Department, John Quinn spent years helping the public. Now, his family hopes they’ll return the favor. A hunting accident this week left Quinn seriously injured — and possibly partially paralyzed — and his family and friends are organizing a fundraiser to help with mounting medical bills. Quinn, 55, who served on the force for more than 20 years, was injured on the morning of Jan. 17 when he fell nearly 15 feet from a deer stand he was dismantling at the Pike Run Wildlife Area. According to his brother-in-law, Dean Evans of Muscatine, Quinn fell on his lower back. He endured significant crunch damage to his lower back, said Evans, and, according to his doctor, could be paralyzed below the knee. Phil Sargent, assistant police chief for the Musca-tine Police Department, worked with Quinn for more than 20 years, and said he was a very good officer and friend. “I thought this was just horrific when I heard about it. He was looking forward to retirement,” said Sargent. “Hopefully, with medical treatment and God’s help, the paralysis will be temporary ... He has a lot of life left to live.” Quinn, who served on the force as a police officer, member of the Drug Task Force, and a detective, is at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. He underwent surgery Thursday, said Evans, and will likely need more surgeries. Evans and his wife, Donna Evans, are coordinating a fundraiser for Quinn and his wife, Laura Quinn, who live in Musca-tine with Laura’s children, Danay Reynolds, 15, and Jacob Davison, 18. “John is covered by Blue Cross Blue Shield but the mounting medical bills will surely be overwhelming,” said Dean Evans, who is Laura Quinn’s brother. Laura and Dean Evans have set up the Facebook page for the John Quinn Benefit to provide updates about Quinn’s recovery and plans for the benefit which has been set for 6-11:30 p.m. Friday, April 8. Other details, including location, are being worked out. “Any help we can get is greatly appreciated,” said Dean Evans. “We’ve never done this before.” Dean Evans said he is impressed with the way people have responded in his brother-in-law’s time of need, beginning at the scene of the accident. “Three officers from the Muscatine County Sheriff’s department — I don’t know who they were — worked in snow and freezing rain,” said Dean Evans, describing Quinn’s rescue at the Pike Run wildlife area, 5 miles east of Nichols in rural Muscatine County. “Those officers are amazing.” Evans, who was not at the scene of the accident, said he was told that an off-duty paramedic from Muscatine Fire Department, who is Quinn’s neighbor, also went to the scene to help. Return to Hunting Accident Index
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