Paralyzed In Bike Accident, Retired Pleasanton Cop Fighting Back

PLEASANTON, CA — One day retired Pleasanton police officer Mike Dunn was hitting the road to ride his bicycle and the next day he was a quadriplegic. Just minutes after the avid bicyclist set out to train for a 50-mile mountain ride, the “road broke apart under his tire” and he was thrown to the ground and unable to move. Eventually, a Good Samaritan found Dunn and got him help.

Doctors delivered a devastating diagnosis when they determined Dunn, 63, suffered an “incomplete spinal cord injury” during the accident. In the blink of an eye, life forever changed for the father, pastor, retired police officer and military veteran. The man who once served his country and community in the military, law enforcement and the church was suddenly unable to care for himself and forced to rely on family, friends and a team of medical professionals to help him survive.

Since that ill-fated day in 2016, Dunn has been on a long and painful journey as he works to recover. Dunn once stopped eating during a church trip to Africa so he could better understand the pain of starvation. That explains the grit he's shown adapting to his life-changing injury. A former Marine, Dunn was trained to “adapt and overcome” in any situation.

He worked for the Los Angeles Police Department and retired in 2014 from the Pleasanton Police Department. He spent time working for the United States Marshals Service in San Francisco. Dunn was known as kind, compassionate and full of life.

Dunn’s family told Patch that in the months since his accident, they have received incredible support from those who know him.

“When someone you love suffers an injury, like Mike did, the emotional pain combined with the worry is overwhelming and suffocating at times. Mike’s friends, some of whom he has not seen since high school, have been nothing short of a Godsend. Mike is overwhelmed and humbled, as are we, with the outpouring of love and generosity. We can not in a million years convey the gratitude we have for everybody who is donating to this cause and especially for the organizers, without whom this would not be happening. We love you all.”

Much of his care has been covered by the Veterans Health Administration but his family and friends say that Dunn will need significant financial support as he transitions to a new living situation once his time in his current care facility wraps up.

Cathy Noble, a friend of Dunn’s, launched a GoFundMe page to help with his medical costs and equipment needed, like a modified van, ramps, a special bed and full-time care. The page has garnered more than $6800 since it was launched on May 12. Those interested in donating can click here.

Image via GoFundMe.com/GoFundMe is a Patch promotional partner