Joe Arpaio Breaks His Shoulder After Falling

Joe Arpaio Trips, Breaks His Shoulder
FILE - In this April 3, 2012 file photo, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio listens in during a news conference in Phoenix. Sheriff Arpaio has been in office 20 years, mainly by being tough on crime and, more recently, illegal immigration. But the self-proclaimed toughest sheriff in America is in the middle of the most difficult re-election fight of his career, largely because those themes are being turned against him. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)
FILE - In this April 3, 2012 file photo, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio listens in during a news conference in Phoenix. Sheriff Arpaio has been in office 20 years, mainly by being tough on crime and, more recently, illegal immigration. But the self-proclaimed toughest sheriff in America is in the middle of the most difficult re-election fight of his career, largely because those themes are being turned against him. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)

Self-proclaimed "America's Toughest Sheriff" Joe Arpaio suffered a broken left shoulder when he tripped and fell on his way to lunch in downtown Phoenix, Ariz. on Thursday, the Arizona Republic reports.

Arpaio was treated at St. Joseph's Hospital, KTAR reports, and was apparently in good spirits. According to a statement from the sheriff's office:

"Arpaio joked with the emergency staff about being happy the injury was to his left arm not his right as he needs his right arm for his Smith and Wesson and his Smith Corona!"

The fracture will not require surgery, and Arpaio will return to work in a few days, AZFamily.com reports.

Arpaio tweeted a picture of himself with his wife at the hospital:

Arpaio, known for his aggressive position on immigration and controversial investigations into President Barack Obama's birthplace, has had a difficult month. Earlier in February, Arpaio learned that he had been a victim of identity theft when his credit card number was used at a grocery store in Chicago.

Arpaio won his sixth term as sheriff of Maricopa County, Ariz. in November 2012.

Before You Go

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