By Roger McKinney
rmckinney@joplinglobe.com
COLUMBUS, Kan. — Columbus police Chief Chuck Sharp has returned to work after a close call with his health last month.
“When you code four times, it was kind of critical,” Sharp said Wednesday. He said he is happy that workers were able to resuscitate him each time his heart stopped.
Sharp, 62, drove himself to the Columbus hospital on July 2 when he had trouble breathing.
“I thought I was having an asthma attack,” he said.
It turned out that a valve in his heart had closed. He was taken to Freeman Hospital West in Joplin, Mo. He continued to be listed in serious condition in the hospital’s intensive-care unit a week after entering the hospital. After his condition stabilized, surgery was performed to replace the heart valve and do three bypasses.
Sharp said he is grateful to his many well-wishers during his hospitalization.
“There were a tremendous number of people here saying prayers and no doubt pulled me through,” he said.
Sharp said he first returned to the office last Monday and has been gradually increasing the time he puts in. He said he must go slowly, but he is regaining strength.
“I’m gaining every day,” he said. “I should be back to full strength before long.”
He said he plans to remain as police chief for the foreseeable future.
Lt. Roger Johnson served as interim police chief while Sharp was away from work.
Background
Chuck Sharp joined the Columbus Police Department in 2003 and was named chief in 2004. He was Cherokee County sheriff from 1977 to 1993.
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