ORANGE COUNTY, Texas — There were huge smiles amidst a big celebration at the Orange County Sheriff’s Office as law enforcement welcomed back one of their own.
Deputies threw a party for Detective Dru Crochet Wednesday. Following a battle with COVID-19 that lasted more than a year, he is officially back to serving the community he loves.
Co-workers at the sheriff’s office said his recover was nothing short of a miracle. At first, they said the detective's uphill battle with COVID-19 looked grim.
In March 2021, Detective Crochet was brought to the emergency room with a collapsed lung. He was put in a medically induced coma for four months.
"Once I woke up out of my coma, I was sitting in a wheelchair staring out across the tops of the pine trees out of my hospital room feeling sorry for myself, thinking I would never leave that wheelchair. I would never be able to walk or run again," Detective Crochet said.
During his stay in the hospital, the detective received blood transfusions and was added to the lung transplant waitlist. He had to endure physical therapy and re-learn how to walk.
Throughout his recovery, returning to active duty felt out of reach for the detective. A major milestone in his journey came in 2022 when he was cleared to return to desk duty.
Now, he has hit another milestone after his doctors gave him the all-clear to return to the field.
"Now, I will actually be able to go out into the field and actually do some investigative work instead of just putting case files together," Detective Crochet said.
He feels the support and encouraging words from everyone who loves and never gave up on him helped him through.
"Never quit. Never quit," Detective Crochet said. "It is a bit overwhelming. I feel that there is a lot put on me. People expect me to be the officer that I once was, and I'm going to do my best to be that guy for them."
Detective Crochet credits the community and his law enforcement family for helping him get back on his feet. The detective says his story of survival has strengthened his faith.
"My family has seen me through the worst part of it," Detective Crochet said. "They are so happy, finally, to see me to be back in my element."
At one point, Detective Crochet felt getting to where he is now was almost impossible. Now, he will continue to serve the community in the same manner they served him.