Iraq veteran, Niagara Deputy loses both legs in car crash

Deputy loses both legs in crash of cruiser
Fellow officers saved his life

By Nancy A. Fischer
NEWS NIAGARA REPORTER

Updated: July 21, 2011, 6:38 AM

Niagara County Sheriff Deputy Allen Gerhardt, a decorated veteran who flew combat missions in Iraq, lost both of his legs when his cruiser crashed into a guardrail Monday night in Ransomville.

Gerhardt, 36, of Newfane, was listed in stable condition Wednesday after undergoing 5 1/2 hours of surgery Tuesday night.

The deputy’s family members say the quick action of officers who first arrived at the scene saved his life. As it turned out, both officers were members of the department’s emergency response team and both knew how to tie a tourniquet.

“I owe my husband’s life to them,” said Gerhardt’s wife, Tina. “They are 100 percent my heroes.”

“I can’t express our gratitude,” added his father, Steven A. “You can imagine how much blood you can lose with both your legs ripped off. If they hadn’t had tourniqueted him, I would have been making funeral arrangements right now.”
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Deputy loses both legs in crash of cruiser