BREA

Doctors amputated the left leg of a city police officer Tuesday after attempts to repair his badly injured limb had failed.

Police said Tom Bischetsrieder, 41, was recovering well after the amputation, hoping he will be back on the job soon.

“He has a commitment from the chief that he will return as a police officer,” Cpl. Chris Haddad said.

Haddad said the officer’s wife and four children have been handling events better than in days past, when Bischetsrieder was facing more complex surgery and lengthy rehabilitation.

The nine-year department veteran was injured last month in a traffic accident on Yorba Linda Boulevard, crashing his patrol motorcycle into a small sport-utility vehicle and breaking the leg, foot and knee. Police said the driver of the vehicle, a Placentia woman, was not injured.

Meanwhile, Brea police are collecting Christmas gift donations for Bischetsrieder’s family members, who have been too busy to shop for presents.