Officer Patrick Saunders of the Barnesville Police Department was lifeflighted to the trauma center at Atrium Health in Macon Saturday after a serious crash on Ga. Hwy. 7. Sanders was headed to work in a city patrol car when he heard a call and responded emergency status. According to a state patrol report, the patrol car had a tire failure while Saunders was negotiating a curve. He lost control and the car ran off the west side of the highway and struck a tree.
BPD chief Belinda Penamon reported Saunders has a spinal injury for which he will have surgery. He also suffered fractured ribs and a punctured lung. Penamon said benefits for his family will be organized soon. Saunders previously worked at the Lamar sheriff’s office.
UPDATE: Saunders spent a long time in surgery Wednesday as doctors tried to repair his spine.
A fund to help the Saunders family with expenses has been set up and donations can be made at any United Bank location.
I am the wife of Officer Saunders. I do not appreciate the photo of my husband in that condition posted for everyone to see. Do better Walter Guiger. Please have more respect for these families.