“We’re getting little wins every day,” Cordova said in response to Boykin’s recovery. “Every little win that we’re getting we’re taking and it’s a positive.”
DALLAS — Three Dallas police officers were injured when a small plane crashed down in a large open field in Forney just after midnight Saturday.
Among the injured is Sgt. Joshua Boykin, who suffered the most serious injuries. The names of the other two officers involved were not released.
Boykin’s longtime friend, Senior Cpl. Tim Cordova, said the reality of the crash is still sinking in for those closest to him.
“I don’t think reality has set in yet. I’ve tried to be there for the family: sister, mom, brother-in-law,” Cordova said.
Cordova, who has known Boykin for 18 years, rushed to the hospital moments after learning about the crash and has returned repeatedly since then.
“It was tough. It was surreal, just not knowing what to do or what I can do,” he said.
Boykin is a 19-year veteran of the Dallas Police Department and is known among colleagues for being fun and spirited, and a cowboy when he’s not a cop.
“He has always been what I call an adventurer,” Dallas Police Association President Sean Pease said. “We’re used to dealing with tragedy and critical incidents, however they involve strangers.”
The officers were off-duty, traveling privately to Oklahoma to attend a comedy show. According to preliminary findings from the FAA, the plane experienced “engine failure” just three minutes from returning to a runway in Lancaster.
Boykin suffered serious spinal injuries in the crash. While he is not yet able to speak, Cordova tells WFAA he is responding by nodding yes or no to questions.
“We’re getting little wins every day,” Cordova said. “Every little win that we’re getting we’re taking and it’s a positive.”
The first big win was learning that Sgt. Boykin could breathe on his own.
Community members and fellow officers are now organizing fundraisers, including a cookout, to help support Boykin during what is expected to be a long recovery.
“He’s a single dad of two kids,” Pease said. “It’s important for us to be right there by his side.”
Follow this link to the department’s Assist the Officer page. The foundation provides financial assistance to officers who are facing the loss of income and mounting medical bills due to serious injury, illness or catastrophic event including death.