JCSO Sgt. Troy Hamilton was set to transfer from a Medford hospital to a long-term rehab facility this week.

Jackson County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Troy Hamilton was set to be discharged from a Medford hospital on Thursday, nearly three weeks after he was seriously injured in an off-duty crash.

The 50-year-old faces a yearlong recovery after the horrific car crash that occurred Nov. 30, just days after Thanksgiving.

Hamilton, who works as a leader for JCSO’s corrections division, was driving with his wife over the East McAndrews Road overpass in Medford when the couple’s Chevrolet Tahoe SUV was struck by a large truck.

The accident, which prompted closure of the bridge and an extensive emergency response, was one of several that occurred during a recent cold snap with dense fog and icy conditions.

Patricia Landfair, a family friend who launched a GoFundMe campaign to support the family while Hamilton is unable to work, said both the sergeant and his wife will be out of work for an extended time; him for recovery and her to serve as caregiver.

“His wife was the one driving the vehicle, and they were on the overpass over McAndrews. They were not speeding or anything. They were in a four-wheel drive vehicle, doing everything right. Once they hit the ice, his wife said, ‘We’re gonna go over the edge! He told her, ‘No, it’s OK. We’re gonna hit the barrier.’” Landfair said.

“They came to a stop and the next thing she knew was that she heard him screaming, because he saw the truck coming at their vehicle. His doctors have said he is so incredibly lucky to even be alive and to not be paralyzed.”

Landfair said Hamilton just recently made his way out of bed — 18 days after the crash — and into a wheelchair for the first time. 

“Being bedbound was so hard for him. He is a big fitness buff — he works out and takes care of himself —– so to be stuck in a bed after this happened was so bad,” she said.

Aside from a broken pelvis, which required a complicated surgery to insert a rod and several permanent screws into his pelvic bone, Hamilton suffered a broken fibula, internal bleeding, a pneumothorax, liver and pancreas lacerations and a bruised colon. He underwent several blood transfusions and has had complications due to a clotting condition.

Internal bleeding that resulted from trauma from the accident required Hamilton to be taken off of blood thinners he had taken for 20 years to prevent dangerous blood clots. Landfair said doctors put a “filter” into Hamilton’s legs to capture the clots and prevent them from traveling to his lungs.

“Once he heals enough for rehab, rather than go home, he’ll have to be transferred to a rehab facility,” she added. Long term, he’ll be out of work for at least a year.

“He will have a job. He will maintain his insurance,” Landfair said, ‘but once he uses up his sick time and his comp time and his vacation time, then that means no more paychecks.”

Jackson County Sheriff Nate Sickler said his agency would support Hamilton and his family however it could. Family members reported this week that Hamilton, upon leaving rehab, would have to stay with extended family until modifications can be made to his home to allow wheelchair access.

“Troy has worked for us for a long time, and he’s just a super down-to-earth nice guy who always concerns himself with those around him more than he does himself,” Sickler said.

“He’s a very selfless, salt of the earth guy. It’s terrible when this happens to anyone but especially to happen to someone like him. … makes you just scratch your head at the universe sometimes.”

Sickler said Hamilton immediately thought of others following the crash.

“One of the first things he did after the accident was let us know what happened and said how sorry he was that he wouldn’t be able to work,” Sickler said.

“We were just like, ‘Troy. Stop.’ He just wants to be a help and he’s a great example of a servant-based leader. … Ironically, because of his work ethic, he never missed a lot of work, so he has time built up that he can use.”

Jenny Hamilton said her family was overwhelmed by the level of community support for her husband since the crash.

“I’ve always known what an amazing man my husband is,” she told the Rogue Valley Times on Thursday. “Seeing the way that the community, especially the law enforcement community, views him has been overwhelming.”

Sickler said his agency would ensure Hamilton could access resources for additional assistance after using available leave time. Sickler said support from the community and JCSO since the crash was heartwarming and well-deserved.

“He’s got a long road, but we’re going stand by him and help him out however we can. He’s a very valued member of our team and our JCSO family,” Sickler said.

“I think once he gets home and settled, he’ll have plenty of us willing to help out however we can. Whether it’s stuff around the house or meals at some point,” the sheriff said. “He’s got 190 brothers and sisters looking out for him. We’ll take care of him.”

For updates on Hamilton or to donate, visit online.