Clermont officer returns to full duty after bonfire accident, hopes to inspire others

CLERMONT, Fla. — A Clermont police officer is back to full duty after a year-long recovery from a bonfire accident.

Officer Kris Kruse suffered extensive burns over 70 percent of his body after a gas can exploded in a bonfire accident in February of last year.

The department surprised him Wednesday with the news that he can get back to his regular schedule.

“I’m amazed. I’ll be excited to get back out there,” he said.

Kruse spent three months in the ICU and remained hospitalized during the majority of his recovery.

“I thought it was just going to be a routine trip to the hospital,” Kruse said. “Turned out, it was three months in the ICU.”

Doctors gave Kruse a 50-50 chance of surviving, but fate flipped in his favor.

He credit the faith of his family, brothers in blue and community with getting him through the tough year.

“I’m excited that I get to return to the career that I feel I was born to do, after having it nearly torn away from me so early into it,” he said.

When Kruse puts his uniform back on, he hopes the scares from his experience give hope to those he serves.

“When people are at their worst, I can use my story to hopefully help them out and tell them there is life at the end of the tunnel,” he said.

Kruse was allowed to begin light duty in October.

Cox Media Group