Berlin crash dredges up memories of Nice attack for Fayetteville officer

Detective Silvia Jordan was in Nice celebrating Bastille Day with her family when a cargo truck plowed through crowds on the Promenade des Anglais. Eighty-six people were killed, and nearly 500 were injured, including Jordan's father.

"At the time, I thought, ‘Where was God?’ Because God was nowhere near us that night," Jordan said Tuesday.

Jordan, a 14-year veteran of the police department, said her training helped her that night.

"For what we do for a living, you’re always aware of your surroundings," she said. "You know, you watch your back, you're just like ready all the time."

But she let her guard down for a minute during the celebrations. She said what happened next took her by surprise.

"I saw this white truck coming at me, but it was swerving,” she said. “It was swerving left and right, and my daughter and I jumped to the right, and my dad and our friend jumped to the left."

Her family friend died. Her father, Gaetano Mascato, 74, was severely injured. He was bleeding profusely after his leg was crushed.

Jordan said she was able to use her sweater to stop the bleeding. A stranger also jumped in to help.

"We took a belt, a belt of a passerby, and we tied it up, and he helped me tie it up much harder," Jordan said. "My dad lost a leg from where we tied the belt."

Jordan said her father is still in a hospital but is going through physical therapy with his new prosthetic leg.

She said she is thankful for the support from the community, especially her fellow officers.

Authorities said 12 people were killed and 48 were injured in Monday's attack in Germany.