CAMERON, N.C. (WNCN) - A Harnett County deputy who was shot in the line of duty 10 months ago was honored as he returned to work on Monday.
"Its taken a lot of determination and commitment,” Corporal Eric Cook with the Harnett County Sheriff’s Office said.
On April 14, 2018, Cook was responding to a call about a missing teen in Cameron when he approached 16-year-old Mario Garza III.
The two got into a scuffle.
The teen is accused of then pulling out a gun and shooting Cook in the face and chest, authorities said.
"It’s an eye-opener. It definitely will change the way I handle calls. The way I look at things,” Cook said.
Cook underwent surgery and had his jaw wired shut, family members told CBS 17.
Aside from facial reconstructive surgery, Cook also had surgery on his ankle while being treated at UNC Hospital.
Harnett County Sheriff Wayne Coates said Cook was wearing a bulletproof vest which saved his life.
Cook, who had been with the sheriff's office about eight years, was released from the hospital on April 24, 2018, but continued his recovery at home.
A few weeks after the shooting, Cook’s wife, Melissa, gave an update on her husband’s recovery.
“Eric is expected to make a full recovery with time and rehabilitation, and for that we are extremely fortunate, thankful and blessed,” she said. “We are blessed beyond measure with such a wonderful and supportive family, great friends and amazing community.”
Cook was given a Purple Heart medal by the sheriff's office at the news conference on Monday.
"He's always the kind of person. This is what he wanted to do,” Lynda Cook, Corporal Cook’s mother said.
Cook said Monday that breaking his ankle during the incident was difficult, especially with nerve pain.
Garza III, 16, was charged with one count each of attempted first-degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, and two counts of assault with a firearm on law enforcement.
He was later charged with two felony counts of larceny of a firearm and two felony counts of possession of a stolen firearm.
He received a bond of more than $1.5 million.
Garza was slated to appear in court Monday but his court date has been moved to Thursday.
