Buffalo police Chief TJ Behning closer to recovery one year later

It’s been exactly one year since Buffalo police Chief TJ Behning was severely injured during a police chase that took him off the streets.

“The chief actually came into my office and said we need to find Logan Shoemaker so let’s go out and try and find him,” said Lt. Behning.

Lieutenant Greg Behning works for Davenport Police and is TJ’s cousin.

However he said September 25th 2017 was a day he will never forget.

“The vehicle I was driving wasn’t a marked squad car so I was far enough back in the pursuit that the crash had already happened,” Behning said. “When I came around the corner TJ’s vehicle was already destroyed and TJ was rolling on the ground.” 

Now one year later he said it all feels surreal.

“I ran off and helped the other guys grab Logan take him into custody,” said Behning. “It wasn’t until I came back as I was jogging back toward him that I saw the amount of blood underneath his leg,” said Behning.

An incident that has made their relationship stronger than ever.

“I think the benefit of this incident is TJ and I have definitely gotten a lot closer same thing with TJ’s wife Heidi and my wife.”

“How can something feel like it happened ten minutes ago and then in another breath feel like it’s been 10 years,” said Heidi Behning.

She said she never thought anything like this would happen in such a small town.

“I was totally blindsided by him getting hurt I thought it was a small city and nothing can happen in a small city, however I know that that’s not true now,” she said. “I think that was the biggest shock of all, how could this happen it’s Buffalo.”

Although Behning is closer to getting back on the streets.

She said the outpouring of support has gotten their family through the road to recovery.

“The road has been a lot longer than we thought it would be, but I think that he continues to make progress, his spirits remain great, he is positive, he is upbeat, he is 100% set on getting back to work.”