Supporting Sgt. Joseph Wells: Help Us Give Him Mobility and Relief
I never imagined having to write another one of these—but this one is for someone incredibly close to my heart: my brother, Joseph Wells.
On September 23, 2022, Joe was severely injured in the line of duty. He spent 15 days on maximum life support, and at one point, doctors even urged his wife, Cheridan, to consider comfort care. But Joe fought with everything he had.
Since then, he’s endured more than 20 surgeries, including a failed knee replacement that ultimately led to a leg amputation. He now has a prosthetic leg, but due to debilitating nerve damage throughout the lower half of his body, he can barely use it. He lives with constant, excruciating pain—and no clear end in sight.
Despite his selfless sacrifice, there hasn’t been qsubstantial support from the department or the larger community since the incident. Joe and his family have been through a long and arduous journey. While someone did donate a 3-wheel scooter to Joe, it wasn’t what he truly needed. It tipped over and wasn’t stable. He requires a scooter that can help him navigate his yard or climb hills, especially when no one is around to prevent it from tipping over on him.
This summer, Joe had planned a rare outing—a trip to St. Louis to watch the Cardinals play. However, when we attempted to rent a motorized scooter for the game, none were available. This realization made it evident that Joe needed a scooter of his own. The cost involved was around $5,000 for the scooter and an additional $1,000 for a carrier to haul behind his vehicle. This scooter will have better wheels and have four wheels. Unfortunately, the most suitable option for Joe is priced at $20,000. This one will have to suffice for now.
Joe would never ask for help. He’s always been someone who quietly endures, who’d be grateful just to make it out into his yard. But he deserves more than that. He deserves to move through life with dignity, not limited by pain or lack of resources.
I believe that if this had happened while he was with another department, the response might have been different. But we can still do right by him. Let’s show Joe that he’s not forgotten, that his service meant something, and that his community still stands with him.
If you can give, thank you. If you can share, thank you. Every bit helps. Let’s rally together and support a brother in blue who gave everything for his community.
