ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, April 16, 1997 TAG: 9704160061
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-5 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: CHATTANOOGA, TENN.
TYPE: NEWS OBIT
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
His family members said they were thankful for one last time to talk to him.
Gary Dockery was locked inside a mute, motionless world for eight of his 43 years.
The brain-damaged policeman broke through just once: Last year, for several fleeting hours, he emerged from his comalike state and thrilled relatives with unbridled conversation, recalling camping trips and the names of his horses and telling his sons, 12 and 20, he loved them.
On Tuesday, Dockery died.
In 1988, Dockery was shot point-blank by a drunken man angry at police for reprimanding him for making noise that bothered his neighbors. The officer fell into a stupor.
On Feb. 11, 1996, he stirred and started talking. Doctors couldn't explain it. He later grew more alert and was able to speak short phrases, but returned largely to silence.
The catalyst for his burst of speech appeared to be a life-threatening case of pneumonia. His family believed he overheard them discussing whether to allow it to run its course or risk surgery.
He started talking four hours later, which convinced them he should have the surgery and another chance for life.
They then said that if Dockery died, they were thankful for one last time to talk to him.
``We did have that one day,'' said his brother, Dennis. ``It's a chance most people don't get. How can you not be happy about something like that?''
LENGTH: Short : 43 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: (headshot) Dockeryby CNB