"On May 7, 2016, while on patrol I attempted to notify a man who had parked in his driveway that he had been driving without his lights on.
"As I rolled down the window to speak to him, his brother ran at my squad car cursing. I opened my door and the man began attacking me... he punched me repeatedly in the head - I fought back using my taser in attempt to stop his assaults. Tasing him did not have ANY effect on this man... it was as if I had hit him with a squirt gun.
"I was able to create some distance and yelled for him to stop. Then, he pulled out a pistol and shot me. Although struck in my dominate arm, I drew my weapon and returned fire striking the man in his neck and leg. He went down to the ground as I took a knee and reloaded.
"I saw the blood and the hole in my arm and knew I needed to find cover. As I reloaded the man got up and ran into his home. After notifying dispatch that I had been shot the man then exited the house with an AK47 and unloaded on my squad car. He then got into a vehicle, struck my squad car, and escaped the scene.
"I relieve this nightmare constantly... I seem him in peoples faces as they walk by. I hear him yelling my name in my dreams. Part of me died that day.
"Operation Enduring Warrior: Task Force Sentinel showed me, although I would never patrol a street again, I was still a brother."
To learn more about OEW please visit their website here: https://www.enduringwarrior.org/
It is our duty to ensure their mission continues so all of our brother’s and sister’s do not fight their mental battles alone!