VIDEO: Flesh-Eating Bacteria Hospitalizes Missouri Officer

Detective Josh Ward of the Lee's Summit (Mo.) Police Department is in critical condition suffering from a flesh-eating bacteria called Streptococcus pyogenes.

The Lee's Summit Police Chaplain Dave Moore said Ward does not know how he got the infection. 

Ward went to the hospital after he felt ill last week and now, just a few days later, he is fighting for his life.

Doctors are reportedly removing skin and muscle from Ward's arm to his groin on his right side. As of Monday afternoon, Moore told 41 Action News Ward is recovering after a fifth surgery. 

Friends have set up a GoFundMe page under Josh Ward to help the family pay for medical expenses.

Dr. Scott Sagraves described the bacteria as a strep infection that with immediate treatment can go away with antibiotics.

"Do common sense things if you’re worried about it," he said. "If you get a cut, if you get a small scratch or cut, stop what you’re doing rinse it off with soap and water."