Joshua Roe wiped away tears when he told Gainesville Police officer Jack Salafrio he helped him “get home to a 4-month-old and 2-year-old and a beautiful, loving wife.”
It was only a month before that Roe, barely able to speak, laid on the pavement in darkness, desperate for help. The 36-year-old UF doctoral student in the Department of Tourism, Recreation and Sport Management, had just been hit by his own car, and Salafrio was the first at the scene. More than a month after the Jan. 6 incident, Roe and Salafrio met at GPD headquarters Thursday afternoon, and Roe introduced the officer to his family.
“You’ll get the occasional ‘thanks’ on social media, but nothing like this,” Salafrio said.
Roe was delivering household items to someone in need when he left his car running. As he called police to report his missing car, he was hit by the car, driven by 16-year-old Kyyan Jackson, according to an arrest report.
As Salafrio approached Roe, he saw track marks across his chest. The officer, who has been with GPD for two years, couldn’t help treat Roe’s injuries because they were mainly internal, but he helped comfort him. Friends and strangers have donated more than $10,000 toward his medical recovery on a fundraising website.
Salafrio found and brought Roe’s phone to him after it flew out of his hand during the crash. Roe called his wife.
While other officers searched for the driver, Salafrio stayed with Roe until an ambulance took him to the hospital.
“He’s hurt, he’s broken,” Salafrio said. “He needs help.”
Roe said he felt grateful to be able to personally thank and shake hands with the man who helped save his life.
Roe also thanked Salafrio for choosing to be a police officer.
“Thank first responders,” Roe said. “A lot of times, it could be a thankless job.”
Contact Robert Lewis at rlewis@alligator.org. Follow him on Twitter at @Robert__Lewis.
Joshua Roe, a 36-year-old UF doctoral student, and Gainesville Police officer Jack Salafrio meet on Thursday for the first time after Salafrio responded to a crash on Jan. 6 and rescued Roe. Roe was run over by his own car, which was stolen, police said.
