By Holly Matkin, Blue Lives Matter
Checotah Police Department (CPD) Assistant Chief Justin Durrett died on Monday, due to injuries he sustained during a single-vehicle rollover crash in Haskell County on Feb. 11, his department said.
Chief Durrett, a 13-year veteran of the CPD, was found pinned beneath his Ford F150 pickup, and put up a “courageous battle” for over two weeks in a Tulsa hospital, the department said in a Facebook post.
(The assistant police chief in Checotah was rushed to the ICU after he was badly hurt in a crash on an icy road. Courtesy of Will DuPree and YouTube. Posted on Feb 13, 2018)
According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Chief Durrett, 35, was ejected and trapped by the vehicle for at least 45 minutes before a passing Haskell County deputy came upon him at approximately 6:15 a.m., KOTV reported.
He was not wearing a seatbelt, and had been traveling on an icy roadway, investigators said.
Chief Durrett sustained multiple neck fractures, spinal bruising, severe head lacerations, and lost feeling below his chest, according to his medical fundraising page.
He was initially transported to Stigler Hospital, and then was transferred to the St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa. He died at 12:30 p.m. on Feb. 26.
Country music star Carrie Underwood, who was a childhood friend of Chief Durrett, contributed $10,000 to his medical fund during his hospitalization.
Chief Durrett was survived by his two young children and his parents, the department said.
“He is loved by many because he has loved everyone so much,” his supporters wrote on his page shortly after the crash.
“Heartbreaking news…Justin’s family, friends, and Blue Line family are in my thoughts and prayers,” another posted after the sad news of his death was released on Monday afternoon.
Funeral and escort arrangements will be announced at a later time.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Checotah Police Department Assistant Chief Justin Durrett, both blood and blue. Godspeed, we will take the watch from here.
Thank you for your service.
(Learn More. Country star Carrie Underwood had her roots in mind when she donated $10,000 to a police officer she grew up with. The officer had sustained life-threatening injuries in an accident. Going by her married name, Carrie Fisher, the Oklahoma singer donated to a GoFundMe campaign. The campaign is raising funds to help ease the cost of Checotah Police Department’s Assistant Chief Justin Durrett’s hospital bills. Courtesy of InsideEdition and YouTube. Posted on Feb 21, 2018)
Editor’s note: Our heart goes out to the family of Chief Durrett, along with our prayers. Our condolences to the Checotah Police Department on this tragic loss. Rest in Peace Sir.
