McAlester Officer Critically Injured During Funeral Procession; Family Thankful For Support

McAlester Police officers gathered at a Tulsa hospital after 25-year-old officer Joseph Barlow underwent several lifesaving surgeries.

Investigators said the officer was at the end of a funeral procession when a driver crossed the center median and struck Barlow's patrol car head on.

Glenpool Police arrested the driver, Martin Rivas, for not having a driver's license and causing great bodily harm while driving illegally.

Fellow law enforcement officers said they are calling for prayers to support officer Barlow.

"This officer has a family at home. We stand out here on the side of the road for a living," Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper Aaron Kern said. "Pay attention to what's on the roadway and quit being distracted."

In a statement from the family of Joseph Barlow, the family said they thanked law enforcement and fellow Oklahomans for an "outpouring of love, support and prayers."