Duwaine Chase always knew he wanted to wear the badge. Growing up in Cameron, Oklahoma, and later settling in Roland, he had one clear goal from an early age: to become a law enforcement officer who treats people with the respect they deserve.
“When I was sixteen, I told myself I was going to be the one who replaced the officers who didn’t treat people like people,” Duwaine said. “That was it for me. I knew what kind of cop I wanted to be.”
It wasn’t long before Duwaine’s childhood dream became reality. But his journey didn’t stop there. In fact, it was just getting started.
A Diagnosis That Changed Everything
In 2023, Duwaine began experiencing tingling in his left foot. When he finally went to the hospital, a podiatrist took one look and immediately knew something was wrong. A biopsy confirmed it to be cancer.
“When I got that email with my biopsy results, I already knew what it was going to say,” Duwaine shared. “I waited until my wife got home, and we opened it together. It was malignant.”
Rather than letting fear take over, Duwaine made a life-changing decision. He asked his doctor if amputation would mean he’d be cancer-free. The answer was yes. So on October 16, 2023, Duwaine had his foot and part of his leg removed.
“You walk around your whole life with two legs, and then suddenly you have one. It flips your world upside down,” he said.
But Duwaine was determined. “Most people get their prosthetic in three to four months. I wanted to be back at work by then.”
The Snell Experience
From the start, Duwaine knew where he wanted to go for his prosthetic. A friend had recommended Snell Prosthetics & Orthotics, and Duwaine made the call. Just two weeks after surgery, with his staples barely out, he was in their office.
“Kevin was the first person I met, and he was incredible,” Duwaine said. “Then I met Jim, and man, that guy has been a rock. They’ve both been with me through every step of the process.”
He quickly realized Snell was more than just a clinic.
“They didn’t treat me like a patient. They treated me like family. Jim feels more like a brother now,” he said. “This is more than just where I go for a prosthetic. It’s a place where I feel supported.”
Duwaine joined a local amputee support group where Jim also plays an active role. The connections he’s made there have helped carry him through the toughest moments.
A Second Challenge
Just as Duwaine had regained his strength and returned to duty, another life-altering moment occurred. On the night of September 26, 2024, while on shift, he received a call about a wrong-way driver on the interstate.
He jumped into action, hoping to stop the driver before tragedy struck. While clearing traffic from the road, Duwaine was hit by a vehicle traveling at high speed.
“The next thing I remember, I was in the hospital,” he recalled. “I looked around, saw my family, and thought, this is it.”
The injuries were severe. His right leg was shattered, almost all his ribs were broken, and his neck had a dangerous fracture that required fusion surgery. Glass had embedded in his arm and side. He was in pain like never before.
“I thought losing my leg was hard. That was nothing compared to this,” he said.
The Long Road Back
Despite the setback, Duwaine has never stopped pushing forward. As soon as he was cleared to bear weight on his right leg, he returned to Snell to begin the next phase of his journey.
“Seeing Jim again after everything I’d been through, the smile on his face said it all. He was glad I made it. So was I.”
The bond Duwaine shares with the Snell team has only deepened. “They were on top of everything. The minute they heard about what happened, they were ready to help.”
Today, Duwaine is still recovering and doing outpatient physical therapy. But his goal is the same as always: to return to being a road deputy.
“I’m not giving up. I’ve worked too hard for this. I’m not going to let cancer or getting hit on the interstate stop me from doing what I love,” he said. “This has always been my dream. And I’m not done yet.”
