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Story by nbc4.tv




Less than one month ago, LAPD officer Kristina Ripatti was paralyzed from the chest down after being shot by a fleeing robbery suspect.

Tuesday night, NBC4's Ross Becker interviewed Ripatti, who said she is determined to be a mom, a wife, and, maybe even, a police officer again. Becker said the location where Ripatti is in recovery is being kept secret.

Images | Video

Following is a transcript of the report.

BECKER: (Addressing Ripatti) It seems like a daunting task to be a mom in a wheelchair.

RIPATTI: I know there'a a lot of moms in wheelchairs. If they can do it, I will do it. It will take a lot of time and work.

BECKER (Referring to video of Ripatti and her child) It is bittersweet video of mom and Jordan. Mom can't move much. The video was shot at the rehab hospital where she is working to recover.

(Addressing Ripatti) Do you think you will walk again?

RIPATTI: I am going to walk again ... I need somebody to show me. I will do it. Somebody show me, and I'll do it. I will walk again.

BECKER: The rehab is hard work. You can see the frustration sometimes right there on her face. A white brace keeps her spine from collapsing. Trying to balance looks agonizing. There is no control from the chest down.

RIPATTI: It's a lot harder now. I think the first couple of weeks, I had a lot of visitors came in; it didn't quite set in. Once I got here, it kind of hit -- like a tidal wave of depression hit. It's been harder. But I have to deal with it. You know, that's -- it's normal. I know it's normal and I have to deal with it. It's part of the steps to moving on. I'm glad I have two arms. They're my legs now, basically. So there's a lot that I'm very thankful for. There's a lot of sadness and grief I feel for losing my legs, definitely. That's a lot. It's like a loss I have to deal with. That's really hard, honestly, to deal with every day.

BECKER: Because you were a runner.

RIPATTI: Yeah. I was a runner and worked out a lot. So, you know, now I watch people. I pay attention to people a lot more. Just walking and stuff, that's hard to know what I can't do right now.

BECKER: At this moment, this one here happened over the past weekend. You can see, one inch at a time she is sliding pretty much on her own, working her way to the wheelchair that is her freedom

TIM PEARCE (HUSBAND): . I have always been impressed with her strength, you know. Being her best friend, I have seen her in all kinds of situations at work.

BECKER: Tim is one of the first officers to arrive at scene of the shooting.

TIM PEARCE: I thought she was going to die right there. I told myself, just let her know you got to her and give her a kiss before she goes. I didn't think she was going to make it to hospital. I look forward to going through this with her. I think our life is just gonna be good, if not better.

RIPATTI: Tim's my soulmate. I can't imagine doing this without him. I know he's not going anywhere. I mean, he better not go anywhere.

BECKER: Oh, I suspect he will be there. There is another man. Her partner is assigned by the department to help her. His name is Joe Meyer. It is strange how much a bullet can take away so much and, at the same time, bring people closer. She promises we can be there if she takes a first step.

June 27, 2006: LA Urban League Honors Wounded Officer With Plaque, Donation
June 15, 2006: $100K Raised For Officer Paralyzed From Shooting
<LI>June 13, 2006: Officer Wounded In Shootout Released From Hospital Copyright 2006 by NBC4.tv. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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