Stephanie Ameiss, a former police officer from Gilbert, Arizona, serves as a remarkable testament to the power of resilience, determination, and courage. Almost two decades ago, she survived a near-fatal 60-foot fall and faced an uphill battle to not only recover, but to fulfill her dreams of serving in law enforcement. Despite the significant challenges, Ameiss triumphed against the odds, serving the Gilbert Police Department for many years before her recent retirement.
The story begins in 1999 when Ameiss, a cadet at the Tempe police academy, witnessed an accident on Loop 202. In an effort to help a Phoenix police officer assisting the crash victims, she jumped over a retaining wall, unaware of the 60-foot drop on the other side. The resulting fall into the Salt River riverbed left her with a myriad of severe injuries, from a broken skull and multiple fractures to the loss of half her colon and liver.
Ameiss spent a month in a medically-induced coma, with an additional four months in the hospital, followed by years of physical therapy to relearn basic skills such as walking and talking. She also underwent over 30 surgeries. Ameiss credits much of her recovery journey to Chris Reynolds, her physical therapist from Desert Hands Therapy, who not only helped her repair her body but also supported her through the mental challenges of her recovery.
Four years after the accident, in a triumphant display of resilience and determination, Ameiss was sworn into the Gilbert police force, fulfilling the promise she made to her Tempe colleagues during her recovery. She recently retired from her role and now serves as a lead investigator for Understanding the Threat, a law enforcement consultation group.
Ameiss credits her faith, family, and the unwavering support she received during her recovery for helping her realize her dreams. The ordeal had a profound impact on her perspective of life. She expresses, "It made the little things super special and family so important. I was a patriot before, but I can say that I realize how amazing family is, our country is."
Stephanie Ameiss' story of survival, recovery, and accomplishment is a heartening reminder of the strength of the human spirit. Her journey, filled with arduous challenges and remarkable triumphs, serves as an inspiration to others facing adversity. As she continues her work in law enforcement consultation, Ameiss embodies the resilience and determination that can help individuals surmount the most daunting obstacles.
The original article can be found KStar.com.
About Stephanie Ameiss:
Ameiss is a former Gilbert Police Department officer and a survivor of a near-fatal fall. She now serves as a lead investigator for Understanding the Threat, a law enforcement consultation group.
Introduction: Stephanie Ameiss, a former police officer from Gilbert, Arizona, serves as a remarkable testament to the power of resilience, determination, and courage. Almost two decades ago, she survived a near-fatal 60-foot fall and faced an uphill battle to not only recover, but to fulfill her dreams of serving in law enforcement. Despite the significant […]
PHOENIX (KSAZ) - Nearly 20 years ago, a Valley woman fell 60 feet off the Loop 202. In August 1999, Stephanie Ameiss, a Tempe Police Department recruit at the time, stopped on the freeway to help people involved in an accident. During that process, she jumped over the highway median to get out of the way of […]
This week, PVPD had Colton from the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) and Chris from Law Enforcement Coaching train our officers in both mental and physical fitness. This is part of a concentrated effort by PVPD to increase officer health and wellness. Colton trained in a classroom setting, focusing on the benefits of proper nutrition […]
