3 Men Accused Of Paralyzing Police Officer Appear In Court

News9.com

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Three men accused of assaulting and critically injuring an Oklahoma City police officer faced a judge Friday morning.

Joshua Rinken, 28, Jimmy Smith, 28, and Cadmio Lopez, 31, were arraigned in an Oklahoma County courtroom. Prosecutors planned to charge them with maiming. Police said all three men attacked off-duty officer Chad Peery at Dan O'Briens on Memorial Road.

Police said on Tuesday, Feb. 15, Peery was watching a game with his dad when employees at the restaurant -- who knew he was a police officer -- asked him to break up a fight. Witnesses said Rinken, Smith and Lopez were arguing with other customers. Peery stepped in and asked the men to leave. Police said as Peery was escorting Rinken and Smith out of Dan O'Briens, they suddenly attacked him. Witness said Lopez prevented anyone from trying to stop the assault. Police said after the men beat Peery until he was unconscious, all three suspects ran to their cars and drove away.

When officers arrived at the scene, they found Officer Peery lying just outside the front doors of the business. He had sustained a spinal cord injury in the attack and was rushed to OU Medical Center in critical condition.  He is paralyzed and remains in intensive care.

Using witness descriptions of the suspects and their vehicles, police located Rinken and Smith at Louie's restaurant on S. Western. Cadmio was found at a different Louie's on Lake Hefner Parkway. Police said all three men know Peery was a police officer when they assaulted him.

Peery's mother, Jan Peery, said it will take the power of prayer and a miracle for the father of four to walk again.

"The hard part is this, here's this young man who's committed to serving this community and keeping it safe and now because of this unimaginable crime, horrible accident that his wife and his children and all of his family are facing long term possible life long struggle that we may have to overcome," Peery said.

A benefit is taking place on Saturday at Dan O'Briens to help Officer Peery. It runs from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. During that time, all revenue generated from sales will be donated to Officer Peery. Jars will also be out all night for customers to make donations. Anyone can make a donation to the Chad Peery Donation Fund at the Municipal Employees Credit Union (MECU).

More: 3 Arrested For Critically Injuring Off-Duty Officer In Bar Fight