02/09/2023
The El Monte Police Department Received a special visit from:
Sergeant First Class Ryan Davis who is a decorated special operations US Army Airborne Ranger, and combat veteran.
In 2019 he was tested beyond what even doctors thought would be a 15-20% chance of survival. While deployed to Afghanistan, he caught the wrong end of a gr***de battle, resulting in the loss of both legs, and his right arm.
As Ryan laid in a ditch, wondering how he would survive, a rescue attempt was underway. As the “cas-evac bird” (helicopter) arrived, it was shot down, and it almost broke Ryan’s will to survive.
Ryan was forced to reflect in his life and he believed; “That was it. I kind of saw my wife crying at my funeral, and my son growing up without a dad. I thought welp, that didn’t look great, I’ll stick around. Watch this. It’s gonna happen. I’m gonna see it with my eyes… and he (death) never came for me that night.”
While in the battle field, Ryan was treated by “ROLO,” a procedure used by one soldier to transfer his own blood to a seriously wounded soldier which kept Ryan alive.
Over the following four days, it took 3 military aircraft, 18 medical personnel, and 26 gallons of blood to safely return Ryan home. After 7 days of surgeries, Ryan was given a 15-20% chance of survival. His wife Asia told him as he laid on the hospital bed, “You know, I love you.” His eyes opened for the first time. The nurse told Asia, “I’ve never seen that before.”
Ryan says, “Without Asia, there would have been so much tumultuous unknown that I would have had to work through by myself. She’s been tough this whole time, and you need tough if you’re going to go through something like this.”
Ryan has since joined forces with “Pooler Karate,” located in Pooler, Georgia. Ryan is forced to find a way to fight, stay in shape, and learn how to overcome new obstacles. Ryan, who is missing two legs, an arm, can still do Jiu-Jitsu.
Ryan’s visit to the El Monte Police Department was a humbling and inspirational experience.
On behalf of the City of El Monte Police Department and El Monte Police Officer’s Association, we thank Ryan for his service and we Thank all Military Veterans who have served.