Injured Grenada officer improves, faces challenges

Grenada reserve police officer Kenny Engle's wife Angie said she knows he wishes his motorcycle accident hadn't happened during the time surrounding Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics Agent Lee Tartt's death.

"I know Kenny will be upset that this happened when it did because he wanted to do that for Lee, and because we couldn’t be there for the funeral," said Angie Engle.

Kenny Engle sustained a traumatic head injury, 14 broken ribs, a facial fracture and a torn artery in a motorcycle wreck he had while escorting the motorcade bringing Tartt's body back to his hometown of Grenada after he was killed in the line of duty in a standoff in Tishomingo County on Feb. 20.

At some point in the process  — doctors don't know if it was before, during or after the wreck  — Engle also had a stroke. He has been at the University of Mississippi Medical Center since his wreck, fighting his way back from brain swelling and a medically induced coma. He's now awake and lucid but unable to speak or get out of bed.

Angie Engle has not left his side. She said she's been supported by the Grenada Police Department, local law enforcement families in the metro area, and Mississippi Law Enforcement Alliance for Peer Support. She said such support has been both a  surprise and a blessing.

"I didn’t realize how many friends this man had," she said. "He worked at the food pantry once a month, he’s been doing it for years. Those ladies up there just love him. I didn’t realize what kind of bond they had until this happened. They’ve taken up money and sent cards. I’m so proud to know he has touched that many people and that they love him."

Grenada Police Chief Garrett Hartley said he hopes one day to have Kenny Engle back on his reserve force. He said the  support his department has  received since Engle's injury and with the loss of Tartt, who had been a GPD officer at one point, has been overwhelming.

"It’s wonderful, they’re very thankful when you speak to them, and even people outside of our community. I talked to a lady this morning from Brookhaven and she was very thankful for what we do, police officers," he said. "The community is very supportive right now, and that’s what we need from both sides. The community and the officers need to be supportive of each other. We need to all be on the same team."

Angie Engle said every day is a struggle, though every day is different.

"It’s just so overwhelming, you don’t know what to feel and think. I’m mad one minute, and then I realize I’m not in Mrs. Tartt’s situation, and I'm so grateful I still have my husband," she said. "But then again, I don’t because I miss hearing him talk and I miss everything about him, even the little things that used get on my nerves."

She said that doesn't mean Kenny Engle isn't showing signs of being himself. A few days ago he was frustrated, she said.

"But the next day he winked and grinned at me."

A GoFundMe.com page has been set up to help the Engles with medical expenses. As of Sunday afternoon, almost $3,500 had been raised.

"Kenny works multiple jobs to support his family. His primary job is working for a factory here in Grenada. When this accident occurred he was working a detail for Grenada Police Dept. so no benefits from his primary employer can be used nor can he continue to be paid through his primary employer," wrote Trebia Rodgers, who has been the coordinator for the GoFundMe efforts. "As a reserve officer, Kenny makes very little money; therefore, his primary income is completely gone at this time. And, of course, his wife's income is gone also as she is staying by his side throughout this tragic ordeal. The bills do not stop coming in when something like this happens. House payments, utilities, car payments, insurance etc still has to be paid. That's hard to do with a sudden stop in income."

Angie Engle admits things are tight but expresses only gratitude for the help that has been offered.

"It’s a shame that these people put their lives on the line and they don’t realize if they get hurt there’s not more help for their family. We still don’t know to the extent of the damages," she said. "I just want people to know how good the police chief has been and the reserves and (GPD Master Sgt.) Jerry Miller have been to Kenny. Those reserves have not turned their back on him, and they have been the best support group I could have asked for."

She also said the kindness of strangers has been comforting. Kenny Engle had recently joined the Mississippi State Guard, a volunteer organization.

"Two of the guys came the day after Kenny got here, and they stood watch at his room," Angie said. "One of them came all the way from Starkville, and they stood watch the whole night and the next day so I could get a shower and some rest. That was the most emotional thing, for me. This guy took off his paying job and used his own gas money to come down."

It's going to take time and a lot of prayers, Angie Engle said, and she said she believes Kenny survived his wreck because Tartt, a friend of both of theirs, was with him. Now they're going to get through this together, she said.

"We’re just blessed, blessed, blessed. This is a complete miracle that he's still here, and I believe that one day we’ll have all this behind us," she said. "I’m determined that I’m not going to allow him to give up on me now. I keep telling him, 'Don't give up on me. You’ve made it through stuff you don’t even know you’ve made it through.'"

To donate to the Engle family, visit Kenny's GoFundMe page. 

Contact Therese Apel at tapel@gannett.com. Follow @TRex21 on Twitter.