Motorcade escorts deputy home

A strong show of support for sheriff's deputy Dustin Allen, injured April 6 during an effort to stop a fleeing criminal, continued Thursday with a motorcade.

Allen underwent a three- to fourhour surgery at the Regional One Medical Center in Memphis, Tenn., after he was run over by the driver of a stolen car, sheriff Kenny Dickerson said.

Officers with the sheriff's department and Mississippi Highway Patrol and first responders with the Holly Springs Fire Department staged the welcome home party, with an escort to his home in Potts Camp from New Albany where he was in rehab after the surgery.

"To me, it was a heartwarming experience," Allen said about the escort home. "Many people don't understand the family that is created when you join law enforcement. It was a reminder that no matter how rough my recovery will be, I know I'll have my fellow brothers and sisters in blue, firefighters and first responders. It brought me hope."

The incident took place on I-22 just west of the City of Holly Springs.

Allen was deploying spike strips alongside the shoulder of the interstate when the fleeing driver of a stolen vehicle swerved over in an attempt to dodge the strips and struck the deputy, Dickerson said.

The chase of the vehicle went east on I-22 to Exit 30 (Holly Springs exit) and then turned back up the west ramp of I22. The driver continued westward on I22 where he was stopped near the West Holly Springs Exit after running over stop sticks deployed by Allen.

Dickerson who helped escort Allen to his home on Elm Street in Potts Camp, said Allen is doing "extremely well."

Allen is now depending on therapy to recover from the serious hip injury and bruises, Dickerson said.

He had a lot of internal damage and severe bruising to the hip socket, Dickerson said.

"They (doctors) did wonders as they always do in putting people back together, plus all the care he received at New Albany Health and Rehab," he said.

Allen thanks everyone for their prayers and support.

"I'm very grateful and I continue to thank God for blessing me with amazing people in my life," Allen said.

Sheriff Dickerson said law enforcement is a real close-knit group of professionals.

"When officers see someone get hurt under criminal circumstances like this, to have an injury like this is what causes officers to pull together in unity and strength and this one is no exception," Dickerson said.

Dickerson has first-hand experience with serious injury. He was injured in 2014 when his vehicle was struck in the side at an intersection in Byhalia. His injuries required a number of surgeries and required months of rehab before he was well enough to go back to his duties.