Police Officer Jocelyn Nuttall

On September 8, 2016 Police Officer Jocelyn Nuttall was assigned the Second Precinct, specifically Post 219. At 1355 hours, she was on duty and involved in a motor vehicle accident in which her car was struck head-on by a utility truck. The crash was so devastating that it fractured the first two vertebrae of her cervical spine. Additionally, she sustained a concussion and her left arm had several lacerations from broken glass, metal and plastic.

Police Officer Nuttall was transported by police helicopter from the scene to University Hospital Stony Brook. The orthopedic surgeon told her that her neck was fractured. Rather than have surgery to fuse her vertebrae, she opted to have a halo traction device installed. This medical device is used to stabilize the cervical spine after traumatic injuries to the neck. The apparatus consists of a halo vest, stabilization bars, and a metal ring encircling the patient's head and fixated to the skull with multiple pins. She suffered extreme pain during her time in the hospital.

After enduring the halo brace for 14 weeks, P.O. Nuttall then began three years of physical therapy, and yet, after just one year of therapy returned to work limited duty. During that time, she would suffer from pain to her temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and for two years had to wear bite plates to realign her lower jaw.

Amazingly, Police Officer Nuttall healed and returned to full duty in Second Precinct patrol.

The Theodore Roosevelt Police Award "honors hometown heroes who experience serious injuries or illnesses but continue to render praiseworthy service to their departments." Police Officer Jocelyn Nuttall is most worthy of receiving this award. She exemplifies the personal qualities and character through her perseverance and dedication for which this award is presented.