Iraq wound ends policeman's career

HOWLAND — David Carr wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps as a police officer, and as a Marine.

He became a sergeant in the Marine Reserves but his career in law enforcement was dashed when an improvised explosive device — constructed using a 155 mm howitzer shell — exploded June 29, 2005, under his humvee in Iraq.

The 35-year-old didn’t lose a limb. Rather, the explosion blew out his right eardrum. Because hearing is so critical in police work, Carr decided not to return to the Howland Police Department.

“I’m deaf in my right ear and will always be deaf. There’s nothing I can do to change that,” said Carr, who has applied for his police pension because of the disability.

He decided to move on out of concern for his own safety, the safety of his follow officers and possibly opening the township up to a lawsuit if he failed to act because of his hearing loss.

Carr, of Howland, has decided to again follow his father, Robert, selling insurance for the Robert Carr Insurance Agency on East Market Street here.

The full story of officer Carr's plight can be found in the printed edition of The Vindicator or at Vindy.com.