February 28, 2021, started as just another day for David Spicer; he was simply driving toward Pueblo on his day off when it all changed. Not too far north of Colorado City, about the 85-mile marker, another vehicle lost control and sideswiped Spicer’s pickup forcing it into the median. The truck rolled two and a half times, ejecting Spicer, then rolled into the southbound traffic lane where it was hit by a semi-truck and rolled another one and a half times.
Spicer’s ordinary day ended with him in the intensive care unit (ICU) with broken ribs, a collapsed lung, a severe laceration on his arm, a broken back, a torn ligament in his ankle, and numerous cuts and bruises all over his body.
Spicer received twelve stitches to the laceration on his arm and had back surgery during which two steel rods, along with five metal screws were inserted in his back to fuse bones. He wore a back brace for five weeks if he was up and moving, then a bone stimulator for two hours a day for three months after the accident. After a week in ICU, Spicer left the hospital to continue his healing at home. Six weeks later, he returned to work on light duty. He shared, “I’m not one that likes to stay at home. I knew I couldn’t let something like that keep me down." Over a year after the accident, Spicer finally hopes to complete his last physical therapy on May 19, 2022. He has been given a report of being 75% recovered and doctors estimate possibly another nine to twelve months to full recovery.
Spicer, a Greenhorn Valley native and son of Jim Spicer and the late Debra (Spicer) Alexander, began his career with the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office in March of 2015. During the recent awards ceremony, it was stated that Spicer is relied upon in several capacities including Detention Training Officer, Acting Sergeant, Background Investigator, and a member of the Registered Sex Offender Watch Task Force. He was also chosen to transfer to Classifications, a specialty area within the jail. Since being assigned to this area, he has continued to serve the mission of the Detention Bureau, having a positive impact on the office, his colleagues and supervisors, and the detainees. The amount of work required by each of his roles is immense. However, this deputy treats each responsibility with grace and care. His wide variety of duties and other past experiences have molded him into a wealth of knowledge and a valuable mentor among his colleagues.
2021 was a very busy year for this deputy.
Unfortunately, he took a major detour in his life when he was involved in a nearlyfatal traffic accident. What he did next was truly remarkable. Following his accident, he worked through the pain to get back to the job he loves to do. He went from being bedridden to full duty in less than two months. This deputy fought tooth and nail to return to work, even after supervision urged him to take his time and not rush back.
Spicer’s supervising Sargent, Jeremy Cordona, had this to say about Spicer, “A saying comes to mind when thinking of what Spicer means to the Sheriff’s Office, a jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one”.
Presenting Spicer with the 2021 Detention Deputy of the year award, it was stated, “Due to his unmatched “Service over Self” attitude and his dedication to the Sheriff’s Office and the citizens of Pueblo County, we are proud to present the 2021 Detention Deputy of the Year Award to Deputy David Spicer.”