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City Police Officer Retires After 2011 Accident Left Her Fighting For Life

BALTIMORE -- Embracing life. A Baltimore City police officer nearly killed after a devastating fall off the JFX is celebrating a new beginning.

Christie Ileto has more on Teresa Rigby's retirement.

A new chapter Friday for Baltimore City police officer Teresa Rigby, 30, who walks tall and stands proud entering her retirement party. She hangs up her police uniform following a terrifying 2011 accident that nearly killed her.

She now gets a second chance at life.

"God is good. That's all I can say," said Rigby.

Her dream of being a police officer took a dark turn when officers say a car slammed into her police cruiser while she was aiding another driver. The chain reaction sent her plunging over the jersey wall, tumbling almost 30 feet below I-83.

It was a fall she wasn't expected to survive.

"Some days I think about it. I don't understand why it happened. However, I'm grateful that I am alive," she said.

Rigby's injuries were so severe, she underwent several surgeries and a long rehabilitation.

"I'm real proud because I met her after the accident," her husband, William Menendez, said.

Now newly married last September, Rigby labels herself a survivor, who's now using her painful past to heal others with a hat line called "Survivor-Wear."

"Since I can't patrol the streets anymore and help citizens, I figure I can help people in another way," Rigby said. "It's time for me to move on with my life. I will never ever forget, but I have to move on."

Rigby says she looks back at her time on the force with pride, and has absolutely no regrets.

Rigby says she is using her hat line to raise money for the Brain Injury Association of Maryland.

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