Critically injured deputy on comeback trail

Lost Hills’ Jim Mulay runs in Baker to Vegas race


HOME—Dep.  Jim  Mulay competed in a difficult desert foot race despite an earlier, on the job injury that almost killed him.

HOME—Dep. Jim Mulay competed in a difficult desert foot race despite an earlier, on the job injury that almost killed him.

Less than four years after being critically injured in the line of duty, a deputy from the Malibu/ Lost Hills Sheriff ’s Station crossed the finish line for his team at the 2010 Baker to Vegas Challenge Cup Relay.

Dep. Jim Mulay had been on patrol on Aug. 28, 2006 when his motorcycle was rammed by a car. He was airlifted to UCLA Hospital for a lacerated liver, punctured lung and broken neck, back, ribs, shoulders and ankle. Mulay was in the intensive care unit for 10 days and was hospitalized for two months. He had three major surgeries and extensive physical therapy.

One year later, Mulay was back on active duty.

While in the hospital’s spinal injury unit, where almost all of the patients were paralyzed, Mulay was told by doctors that he might never walk again. Mulay said the news motivated him to set a goal as one of the runners in the sheriff’s department annual Baker to Vegas race.

This year, Mulay said he felt ready to compete and began training three months before the race by running four miles three times a week. He improved his diet and worked out regulary at the gym. Mulay trained with his partner, Detective Tim Cooley, who also participated in the Challenge Cup competition.

The race took place April 17 and 18. It followed a 120-mile course from 25 miles north of Baker, Calif. and finished at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Department team finished fourth in the Station Invitational category with an overall time of 18:48:42.

Mulay ran the final 4.4-mile leg of the race in 43 minutes and carried the baton across the finish line for his team.

Unit commander Capt. Joseph Stephen called Mulay’s comeback was “inspirational,” and added, “Jim’s efforts to prepare and compete in this race serve as an excellent example of how to overcome adversity.”

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