COEUR d’ALENE, Idaho – An inspiring local reminds us of resilience and finding purpose in the face of adversity.
On Dec. 28, 2004, Coeur d’Alene Police Officer Mike Kralicek was shot while on duty. Answering a call about a hit and run, Kralicek chased the suspect into his home and was shot at close range.
The incident left him with severe injuries, including the complete loss of vision in his right eye and immobility in one of his arms.
Kralicek was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, where he spent three weeks in a coma.
Recounting those dark days, Kralicek recalled, “confusion. Where am I? I don’t recognize this. You look up, you see bright lights above your head. You hear all kinds of voices you don’t recognize,” he said.
After recovering from the coma, Kralicek underwent extensive rehabilitation to learn how to stand and walk again. He moved between different hospitals, including Craig Hospital in Colorado.
Through these challenges, his wife Carrie’s unwavering support was a constant source of strength.
Despite his injuries, Kralicek found a new calling as a motivational speaker. He traveled across the country, sharing his story and inspiring others.
“You’d load up, you’d go somewhere, you’d talk for a couple of days, you’d come home, you’d unload, wash your clothes, load up and go somewhere else. It was a lot of work,” he said.
Now, at 55-years-old, Kralicek is reflecting on his journey and looking forward to new challenges. Recently, he has discovered a renewed passion for golf, a sport he played in high school and throughout his twenties.
“I figure that’s why I woke up from the coma was to keep talking to people and motivating people, so they can’t do what I did before. Now the new goal is to find something else to do,” he said.
Kralicek continues to receive support and love from countless individuals, evidenced by the hundreds of birthday cards he received recently.
“We haven’t even finished going through all the cards yet, but we’ve already opened like 300 or 400 cards. Some are from people I know, some are from complete strangers,” he said.
Kralicek wants to thank everyone who sent cards and well wishes for his birthday. He also wanted to thank the Coeur d’Alene Police Department and Chief Lee White for all of the love and support over the years.
As Kralicek demonstrates through his life, finding a new purpose can be a powerful source of healing and inspiration.
“If you find something that you’re good at, or you like, that helps other people, keep doing it, work hard at it as much as you can,” he said.
