Officer Injured On Job Thankful To Be Alive
MIAMI (CBS4) - A South Florida police officer who was badly beaten with a cinder block while on duty is sharing his story of survival and talks about what he's thankful for this Thanksgiving.
When Miami-Dade Police Officer Carlos Castillo was attacked on duty, the story made national headlines. Seven months later, Castillo says this Thanksgiving, he has a lot to be grateful for.
"What am I thankful for? I am thankful that I am alive," Castillo told CBS4's Jorge Estevez.
It's just that simple for Castillo who was attacked by a suspect wielding a heavy cinderblock on April 23rd, 2010.
"This year it is a wake-up call that life is very fragile and it can end at any time," explained Castillo.
It could have ended when Castillo was struck with a cinder block while working undercover in Liberty City. His severe injuries included ten broken ribs. The bones in his arm that allow you to move your hand up or down were also broken.
Officer Castillo was serving an outstanding arrest warrant for Michael Paul Robertson who served prison time for grand theft and armored burglary. When officers pulled him over in the driveway of his grandmother's house on 71st Street, he took off running. Castillo remained at the SUV, along with Robertson's pregnant girlfriend and two young children. Police believe Robertson ran around the block, climbed a set of stairs to a landing about ten feet above where Castillo was standing and dropped a 30-pound cinder block on the officer from above.
Robertson then jumped down from the landing and repeatedly kicked Castillo in the head, before he stole his car and ran over Castillo twice, according to police.
Robertson is awaiting trial on attempted first-degree murder charges.
Castillo, who suffered major injuries to the brain and his body, says he's doing much better now.
"I feel better. There is a constant reminder that I got injured when I go to move a certain way I do feel a little pain but it is getting better," said Castillo.
Castillo was on the Robbery Intervention Detail, also known as RID, a unit dedicated to apprehending potential offenders of violent crimes before they commit them. Unfortunately, on that night, Castillo became the very victim he works tirelessly to defend.
"I have to acknowledge the first responders that took care of me after the incident are really the ones responsible for saving my life," explained Castillo.
Now months after the incident he has time to really be thankful.
"Thank you for standing by me and I think their support sped up my recovery to where I am at right now."
Castillo's amazing story of survival continues because he says he needs surgery to repair his arms. Then, he says, it's right back to work.
