Last year on Labor Day an officer in the city I just moved to was shot in the head while responding to a report of shoplifters at the local Wal-Mart. Covington, GA Police Officer Matt Cooper was shot while rounding a corner as he pursued one of the shoplifting suspects, who later killed himself after fleeing in to some nearby woods. Matt was transported to the Atlanta Medical Center then later moved to Grady Memorial Hospital. The initial prognosis was grim as the bullet entered between his eyes and lodged itself in his Carotid Artery. Matt Cooper pulled through and was eventually transferred to the Shepherd Center to help him recover from the severe brain injury he suffered.
Matt’s recovery has been pretty remarkable and he has made great progress though he struggles with some left-sided weakness. What’s been truly spectacular in addition to his recovery is how much the local community rallied around him and continues to do so to this day. Even around Columbus, GA when we had an officer shot or killed the community didn’t seem to come together in nearly the same way my current locale has.
Some stories about the incident and Matt’s recovery:
https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/new...tore/826476980
https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/cov...ress/831988428
http://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/covi...njury-recovery
http://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/covi...te-in-fuzz-run
And here’s a picture of Matt with a shirt he designed: