ARIZONA NEWS

Severely burned former Phoenix police officer continues serving others

Dec 21, 2018, 4:55 AM | Updated: 10:38 am

PHOENIX — Severely burned in the line of duty while working as Phoenix police officer, Jason Schechterle describes himself as the luckiest man on earth.

On March 26, 2001, Schechterle’s patrol car was struck from behind by a taxi going more than 100 mph. He was trapped inside, and his patrol car burst into flames.

Miraculously, a Phoenix Fire Department truck was at the intersection where the accident took place.

Firefighters were able to pull Schechterle from the vehicle, but in just seconds he’d suffered severe burns on 40 percent of his body, including his head, face and hands.

His painful recovery included almost 50 surgeries, a coma of nearly three months and even a battle against blindness.

Eighteen months after the accident, Schechterle was back on the job.

“I was very blessed,” he said.

“I was 28 years old. I had a great career and I had a lot of reasons to fight and get better — although I truly thought I was going to die.”

He continued to serve on the force, and even became a father for the third time, until he retired in 2006.

Since then, he found a way to serve the community without wearing a police uniform.

As a spokesperson for Serenity Hospice, Schechterle talks about end-of-life issues at assisted living homes.

“I try to be as raw, real and vulnerable about life and death when I’m talking to these folks,” he said.

Schechterle’s father died last year, and he uses the positive and what he calls “beautiful” hospice experience as a talking point during his discussions.

“My father without a doubt was my best friend, the closest person to me,” he said. “Ironically, he passed away on the 16th anniversary of my accident.”

Schechterle shares his experience because he knows how scary it is and understands that the unknowns can take a toll on family members when they should be honoring and grieving their loved one.

Discussing his own experience with hospice, he says he held his father’s hand as he passed away peacefully.

“It gave me a chance to be a son,” he said. “It gave my family a chance to just give gratitude, love and honor what his life was, and it gave him peace.”

While discussing the importance of hospice care, Schechterle continues to dedicate his life to sharing his story of overcoming adversity and giving others the chance to share their stories.

“I think of all us want to know that our loved ones are going to be comfortable,” he said. “I have always said it’s easier to go through something than watch someone you love go through it.”

“Even with my burn injuries at such a young age, I really had the easy part. My family had the tough part. I encourage people to think about what it does for your family after you are gone.”

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

Mudvayne...
Kevin Stone

Metal veterans Mudvayne to play Phoenix area for first time since 2009

Mudvayne's Psychotherapy Sessions Tour will stop at Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre in Phoenix in August.
20 hours ago
(Facebook Photo/Arizona Supreme Court)...
SuElen Rivera

Arizona Supreme Court says Hobbs not required to carry out execution warrant

The Arizona Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday that Gov. Katie Hobbs is not obligated to carry out an execution warrant for Aaron Gunches.
20 hours ago
(Facebook Photo/Copper Canyon Fire and Medical District)...
KTAR.com

Crews rescue multiple people, pig from floodwaters in Arizona

Crews were able to successfully rescue multiple people and a pig from floodwaters that gushed through portions of Arizona on Wednesday.
20 hours ago
(Pixabay Photo)...
Kevin Stone

Supt. Horne says crank call ‘idiocy’ won’t derail Arizona hotline for parent complaints

Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne said bogus reports won’t sidetrack the hotline he created to field parent complaints about lesson material.
20 hours ago
(Facebook Photo/Arizona Lottery)...
KTAR.com

Triple Twist jackpot ticket worth $225,000 sold at Phoenix grocery store

The latest big Arizona Lottery winner came Tuesday after a six-figure ticket was sold at a Phoenix grocery store.
20 hours ago
Leslie Yeager (Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Photo)...
KTAR.com

Arrest made in Phoenix hit-and-run that caused pregnant passenger to lose baby

A Phoenix woman was arrested and charged with manslaughter and drunken driving after a pregnant woman miscarried following a hit-and-run collision earlier this week.
20 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...
Fiesta Bowl Foundation

Celebrate 50 years of Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade magic!

Since its first production in the early 1970s, the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe has been a staple of Valley traditions, bringing family fun and excitement to downtown Phoenix.
...
Day & Night Air Conditioning, Heating and Plumbing

Prep the plumbing in your home just in time for the holidays

With the holidays approaching, it's important to know when your home is in need of heating and plumbing updates before more guests start to come around.
(Desert Institute for Spine Care photo)...
DESERT INSTITUTE FOR SPINE CARE

Why DISC is world renowned for back and neck pain treatments

Fifty percent of Americans and 90% of people at least 50 years old have some level of degenerative disc disease.
Severely burned former Phoenix police officer continues serving others