HOPKINSVILLE, Ky. (WTVF) — A Hopkinsville police officer, who was shot during a pursuit two weeks ago, spoke publicly for the first time to thank the community.
Officer Jeremy Davidson said he wanted to do a press conference Monday morning to give an update on his condition and to express his gratitude.
“That’s one of my biggest things I want to thank the community, the community has been absolutely awesome, the support for not only me and my family but my department, the sheriff’s office it has been amazing,” he said.
Officer Davidson said he’s recovering well after bullets pierced his shoulder and grazed the side of his head. He was trying to stop a vehicle involved in an armed robbery at a Walmart earlier that morning.
Court documents obtained by NewsChannel 5 say police were after Keith Kuzyk and Autumn Neblett driving in a Dodge truck stolen during the armed robbery. Authorities said Kuzyk used a gun to order the driver and passengers to get out of the vehicle.
Kuzyk allegedly tried to run over a deputy who laid down spike strips before using an assault-style rifle to fire multiple rounds at Davidson's cruiser.
Davidson quickly got out of the vehicle and didn't return fire.
"I called out to dispatch the vehicle registration tag and no sooner after, I looked up and I started seeing flashes," Davidson said.
He was taken to Skyline Medical Center in Nashville where he was listed in stable condition and only stayed for one day.
Davidson doesn’t call himself lucky but blessed to still be here despite knowing the dangers of the job, but added that he couldn’t get through these two weeks without the support from his community.
He also plans to return to work.
"I feel like I did what I could in this situation and I still love my job," Davidson added. "Sometimes I don't like to call it a job because it's a calling."
Two other suspects who were allegedly involved in the robbery, September Neblett and Anthony Johnson, led authorities on a chase to Montgomery County in their original vehicle. They were later taken into custody and faces charges.
Kuzyk was also arrested in Montgomery County after a second chase. All three are awaiting to be extradited to Christian County.
Meanwhile, police said Autumn was hiding in a school dugout with the rifle used in the shooting. Her case is bound over to the grand jury.
