By Suzie Ziegler
EAST PEORIA, Ill. — “I should be dead,” said Officer Jeffrey Bieber after watching dashcam video that shows a suspect stabbing him multiple times.
New video obtained by WEEK-TV shows the February incident that left Bieber fighting for his life. The event begins when Bieber pulls over a pickup truck. After a conversation with the driver, Bieber sees that the driver’s hands are bloody and decides to take him into custody.
Bieber walks the suspect, identified as Joshua Crites, over to his squad car. That’s when Crites stabs the officer several times, wrestling Bieber to the ground.
The officer first uses his TASER. When that is ineffective, he fires four shots, killing Crites.
Four months later, Bieber tells WEEK-TV that his 10 stab wounds are healing well. He was even able to return to work last week.
“It’s unbelievable. It’s inspiring,” Bieber said when asked about the support he received. “It inspired me to be a better police officer today because of it, and to help others in need.”
“I should be dead.” 35 seconds. That’s how long East Peoria Police Officer Jeffrey Bieber fought for his life against a suspect who stabbed him 10 times with a knife. https://t.co/YeU6v4HkVm
— WSIL News (@WSILNews) June 11, 2021