A path
discovered
Debbie LaSalle has come a
long way since an accident
left her in a coma. Now she
is paving a path to recovery
for all wounded officers.
n BY JOSHUA SIGMUND
About 20 years ago, Summit Local 55 Member Debbie Conte
first donned her new uniform as a police officer. Following her
then-husband through the academy, she saw an opportunity to
challenge herself and come out with a unique job that could
afford her the ability to help people in her community.
For about five years, Conte worked in Summit until a fateful
shift directing traffic on Jan. 28, 2000, when
a vehicle struck her, and then everything –
from her drive, to her memories, to even her
name – reset.
“I don’t remember the accident. I don’t
remember stories about being