Sergeant Justin Dodge Thriving With Prosthetic Leg After Being Injured at Nuggets Parade

After a life-changing incident during a Denver Nuggets championship parade, Sergeant Justin Dodge faced the challenge of rebuilding his life. Despite undergoing a below-knee amputation, Justin’s unwavering determination, supported by his family and medical team, helped him get back on his feet with his below-knee prosthesis and fully engage as a father and SWAT team member again.

The Denver Nuggets had clinched their first-ever NBA Championship, and it was parade time in Denver. Sergeant Justin Dodge was diligently working security, stationed alongside one of the fire trucks carrying the Nuggets players, trying to protect paradegoers who had moved onto the street. It was then that the fire truck rolled over his left leg and painfully pinned him.

“That moment felt like it stretched out in slow motion. My instinct was to position myself to protect my knee from being crushed. I remained conscious the whole time. Before being taken to the hospital, I removed my gear and handed it to one of my fellow officers to keep for me until I made it back,” said Justin.

After his leg was freed, tourniquets were applied and saved Justin’s life as he was rushed to Denver Health. Chair of the Department of Orthopedics, Dr. Mauffrey, happened to be working that day, and Justin immediately went into surgery under his care.

The Road to Recovery

Despite multiple surgeries and best efforts to save his leg, Justin ultimately underwent a below-the-knee amputation and skin grafting.

“I tried to wake up with a smile, do things that would make tomorrow better, and go to bed with a smile. Some days were good, and some were bad. There was never a moment when I doubted my ability to walk and be mobile again. During recovery, I set daily tasks for myself and mental and physical goals to tackle each day. At first, the tasks seemed small, making it to the bathroom on my own and eventually scooting up and down the stairs in my house. These tasks were exhausting. But I persisted. I went back to the gym, returned to activities I love, even if they were different than before, and worked on regaining my strength and physical stamina,” said Justin.

A Team of Support

Supported by a dedicated team, Justin embarked on his journey to rebuild. After fitting his prosthesis, he embraced the challenge of learning to walk again. Though the process was difficult, his determination never wavered.

“I am married and have three kids, ages 22, 19, and 17. I prioritize my family above all else, closely followed by my commitment to saving lives. We are an incredibly active family, and being an active dad is important to me. I wanted to return to being the fun, active dad who planned trips and actively participated in my kids’ lives.

I had an incredible group of doctors, family, friends, fellow officers, and trainers supporting and helping me. I called Hanger Clinic and met with Jeff Talen, CPO the next day. I eventually worked with Brad Intres, CPed, CPO, Zach Harvey, CPO, and Molly Jones, Community Care Coordinator. Zach’s expertise enabled me to have a functional prosthesis while I recovered. All of them were there for me, addressing any questions and concerns and helping me through the recovery process.

Once I received my prosthesis, I was ready to learn to walk again. I put a lot of work in. Walking wasn’t effortless at first, but I was determined to make it happen. I feel like I’m thriving through a horrible injury and doing everything I can to make the best out of it,” said Justin.

A New Purpose

Justin shared, “This experience has given me a renewed purpose – to excel not just physically but in all aspects of life so I can help others facing adversity. I want to let others know you can overcome difficult times and challenges, even if the outcome is not what you originally thought it would be or should look like. Whether it’s a physical setback like mine or any other challenge, perseverance and mental strength are key.”

Justin’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience. He was cleared to return to 100% on a full-time tactical unit. In addition to returning to work, he took his son on a plane to attend a recruiting visit for a scholarship and has taken several trips to visit his daughters. With each step forward and the assistance of his prosthesis, he embodies the possibility of a remarkable comeback.