Officer struck by motorcyclist in south Edmonton sustained broken leg: source

An Edmonton police officer needed to be hospitalized Wednesday evening after being hit by a motorcyclist.

A source told CTV News Edmonton he suffered a broken leg that required surgery.

The officer was conducting traffic enforcement near northbound Terwillegar Drive and 37 Avenue when he was struck around 7:15 p.m., according to the Edmonton Police Service.

An Edmonton police officer needed to be hospitalized the evening of Sept. 14, 2022, after they were hit by a motorcyclist while conducting traffic enforcement near northbound Terwillegar Drive and 37 Avenue. The driver fled the scene.

"The officer was attempting to direct the motorcycle to pull over when he was hit. The motorcycle then fled the scene northbound on Terwillegar Drive," EPS said in a news statement.

Edmonton Police Association president Sgt. Mike Elliott confirmed the officer's injuries required surgery. 

"We're extremely fortunate that our member's going to be OK, but this member's probably going to feel the effects of this potentially for the rest of his career," he said. 

Investigators are looking for tips about the driver of a red 2005 or 2006 Honda CBR 600RR with gold rims. Anyone with information is asked to call EPS at 780-423-4567 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

They are considering speed a factor in the crash. 

An Edmonton police officer needed to be hospitalized the evening of Sept. 14, 2022, after they were hit by a motorcyclist while conducting traffic enforcement near northbound Terwillegar Drive and 37 Avenue. The driver fled the scene.

Elliott told CTV News Edmonton he was "flabbergasted as to why somebody would do this." 

"But it just goes to show the dangers that's [sic] out there," he said, speaking about the risks of police work. 

"It gets worrisome for my colleagues going out on the street 24/7 and we're trying to do our best, but I know everyone is hyper vigilant." 

Public safety analyst Chris Lewis expects EPS to review whether the officers conducting the Wednesday operation could have been better prepared, but noted traffic stops can be unpredictable. 

"People think homicide investigators and tactical teams, you know, how dangerous their jobs are because of the type of folks they're dealing with. But it goes to show you that the frontline officer job is the most dangerous job in policing." 

With files from CTV News Edmonton's Jeremy Thompson