Police Plan Fundraiser for Injured Colleague

OMAHA (KPTM) - The Omaha Police Department rallies behind one of its own. Jacki Cser nearly died after getting into a car accident on the way to work. Now months later, her co-workers step in to help Jacki get back on her own two feet.

It's been a long road to recovery for Jacki Cser, and although her battle with physical therapy isn't over, Jacki says she wanted to go back to work yesterday. "The police are my life and I would do just about anything to be in that group again," she said.

Jacki spent months in and out of intensive care after a June car accident. She suffered several broken ribs and a broken leg, but the pneumonia she got at the hospital nearly killed her. "She started to pull through and we decided that her time was running out at work and we wanted to do something to help her," said co-worker Becky Boslau.

Jacki works the night shift at police headquarters, answering the radios when officers call in for information about a suspect or stopped vehicle. But she's out of sick time and vacation time, leaving her with no income. "I have a house that I worry about losing, and I don't have a car anymore. My car turned into a pretzel," Cser said.

So her co-workers are organizing a fundraiser Sunday to help Jacki with expenses and mounting hospital bills. "She's been there for 17 years and the cops are like her family. She doesn't have any family here, so she has really good ties with everyone," Boslau said.

It's an overwhelming gesture for a woman who truly loves her job. "I can only say thank you and I can't imagine them doing all this for me. It just floors me," Jacki said.

It could be a couple months before Jacki is well enough to go back to work. She's still on oxygen and working to build up the strength in her leg.

A pancake breakfast, raffle and silent auction is planned this Sunday, September 27th. It runs from 8 a.m. to noon at the Police Union Hall at 13445 Cryer Avenue. It's $6 for adults and $4 for kids.