Mount Holly police chief back on duty after major stroke

MOUNT HOLLY, N.C. — The Mount Holly police chief is back to work three weeks after he suffered a massive stroke.

The stroke forced Police Chief Don Roper to use some sick days for the first time in 31 years in law enforcement.

Roper received a round of applause at Carolinas Medical Center-Main when he returned to thank the entire staff at Atrium Health who worked to save his life.

"It's just words, but uh, you know I hope you folks know I really mean it from the heart,” Roper said.

The stroke was the 52-year-old police chief’s first big health issue while he’s been on the force.

The stroke happened on Aug. 13.

He said he didn't have any health problem or bad habits.

He didn’t know he had an irregular heartbeat, called atrial fibrillation, or AFIB, that revealed itself after an hourlong routine meeting with command staff.

"I realized that I felt strange, you know, I felt a little off balance,” Roper said.

His officers knew it was a stroke and rushed him to the hospital.

"Their quick action saved my life,” Roper said.

Roper got here to the emergency room quickly and doctors told us that was one of the biggest factors in his speedy recovery.

"He could not speak and he could not move the right-hand side of his body,” Dr. Jerry Martin said.

Martin used a clot-busting drug called IVTPA.

"Patients receive that medication for an acute stroke,” Martin said. “They have a better chance at a quicker recovery."

Over the course of a few days, Roper started speaking and was moving again.

Roper said he has no plans to slow down because he loves serving his community.

"Every day is another day that I could have possibly have not had,” Roper said.

Doctors said a number of things can cause a stroke, including smoking and poor diet.

Even a long trip can lead to a stroke-causing blood clot.

Doctors recommend always get to an emergency room as fast as possible if you notice symptoms.

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