Trooper Wayne Rider, career-long member of UHPA and past president of the URTA, is one example of our people who stay busy even after retirement because they enjoy the continuing accomplishments of good work. Wayne has been busy for years in the summer and fall driving the semi that hauls the Kawasaki racing bikes around the country for the matches and contests that all the hot-bikes participate in. I once asked him if he ever drove one. He chuckled and replied there was no way he could hold onto one of those rockets when the throttle was opened. That is understandable; neither could most of us.
    This year, 2002, Wayne spent his summer again delivering the bikes that took five national racing and speed titles. We'll save those events for the page "What Troopers Do When They Aren't Troopin' ?" page. This page, titled "One Of Our Own", is to give you a glimpse into another realm of the Law Enforcement Community, and the experience Wayne had this year.
    You have all been receiving reports from Gary regarding Wayne's progress after being hit by a motorist in California. We will not expand here on those news letters. Wayne will hopefully be sufficiently healed to come home for his continuing therapy at the end of January 2003.
    When Wayne was hit and lying in the roadway, two drivers stopped; the driver that hit him, and another motorist. The other motorist called 9-11 on his cell phone, after which Wayne rolled over, found his own cell phone and called Kathy, his daughter.
    The EMT guys showed up quickly and of course asked him the normal questions; had he been unconscious? No. How do you know you were not unconscious? Because I remember that man over there stopping and calling 9-11 on his cell phone, then I found my cell phone and I called my daughter, and then you arrived. What are your injuries? I have a broken pelvis and a dislocated shoulder and a few other problems. How do you know you have a broken pelvis? Because my foot is lying flat. O.K., we're going to have to cut your trousers to attend to your injuries. O.K., guys, but be careful of the belt, please, it can just slip out of the loops. (The EMT's noticed his UHP buckle) Are you a policeman? Retired Utah Highway Patrol. The team does their body-immobilization and first-aid work, and loaded Wayne into the ambulance.
    The accident scene was about two miles from one hospital in the area, but the most complete facility, the nationally-recognized Mission Complex, was farther away. The driver asked the lead tech where he wanted to go. Wayne suddenly forgot his pain and apprehension when he heard the EMT's reply: "He's stabilized, and he's 'pretty close to a trauma case', so, let's err on the side of safety; head for Mission Besides... He's 'One Of Our Own'! "
    Wayne said he had been doing pretty well until then, when suddenly the realization came rushing in that the Police community, as a whole, does look out after "Its Own".
    Three of the Nation's top trauma doctors met Wayne's ambulance at the Emergency entrance, and began their work as they wheeled him to the Mission Complex O.R.
    As soon as he was out of his first operation and able to see through the anesthesia and pain-killers, Clark Bowle's daughter brought him flowers. Bill Hime's son paid him a visit at the hospital, and the cards and letters started pouring in from his friends of the UHP. Norm Steen sent a two-page letter, which must be some sort of turning-point in world history when Norm takes enough time to write a two page letter with pen and paper. (just joking, Norm!). Some 35 years ago, a little girl lost her mouse (like a teddy-bear doll, but a mouse), Wayne found it and sent it back to her by airplane so she could go to sleep that night. She was terrified when she heard Wayne had been run over, and sent him her very best wishes. Her thoughts were the same as most of the rest of us; "Wayne Rider just does not get run over!" Wayne says his whole wall is covered with much-appreciated well-wishes from all his friends. A whole wall-full of bright spots in otherwise sometimes difficult days.
    Wayne says he is doing fine, all things considered.
We're very pleased that he is doing fine, all things considered.
And, Wayne, The Utah Highway Patrol, and the UHPA, is proud that you are