Monday, March 20th 2023, 5:10 am
McAlester Police officers gathered at a Tulsa hospital after 25-year-old officer Joseph Barlow underwent several lifesaving surgeries.
Investigators said the officer was at the end of a funeral procession when a driver crossed the center median and struck Barlow's patrol car head on.
Glenpool Police arrested the driver, Martin Rivas, for not having a driver's license and causing great bodily harm while driving illegally.
Fellow law enforcement officers said they are calling for prayers to support officer Barlow.
"This officer has a family at home. We stand out here on the side of the road for a living," Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper Aaron Kern said. "Pay attention to what's on the roadway and quit being distracted."
In a statement from the family of Joseph Barlow, the family said they thanked law enforcement and fellow Oklahomans for an "outpouring of love, support and prayers."
Addie Crawford is a multimedia journalist for News 9. She joined the News 9 morning team in January of 2023 after interning and reporting part-time while studying at the University of Oklahoma. Addie has a passion for storytelling and loves to meet new people in the Oklahoma City community.
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