Volusia Sheriff’s Office Deputy Jose Rivera returned to work April 30, about two months after he was shot twice in the line of duty in Deltona.
Rivera reported to the Volusia Sheriff’s Office training academy, according to video posted on the sheriff’s office Facebook page.
“I’m just excited to be out there just to help out with the training staff,” Rivera said in the video.
Rivera was shot in the doorway of a home on March 2 in the 2600 block of Candler Drive. He was hit in the shoulder and leg.
Luis Diaz Polanco, 31, was charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer with a firearm. One count was for shooting Rivera and the other count was for shooting “toward” Rivera’s partner Deputy Jacob Gomez Lopez, according to a charging document. Diaz Polanco’s next court date is June 2.
In an interview with detectives, Diaz Polanco said he was off his medication and had bought the gun he used from a man who had previously sold him marijuana, as reported in a previous story. Diaz Polanco said he never expected to use the gun, according to the transcript of the interview which was heavily redacted in places.
Volusia deputy received hero’s welcome after hospital release
Rivera was released from the hospital on March 4 and was flown by helicopter to Dewey Boster Sports Complex in Deltona, where he was welcomed by family, friends and fellow deputies, city officials and others, according to a previous story. Rivera had to return to the hospital at some point due to complications, The News-Journal wrote in a previous story, citing County Councilman Matt Reinhart.
Rivera said in the April 30 video: “My emotions are good.”
The video showed Rivera walking toward and entering a sheriff’s office building. He later sits in a chair as he briefly recounts his recovery.
He credits his family with his well-being.
“Overall, because of my family, I’m happy,” Rivera said in the video.
He said he was pleased to be able to help new recruits prepare for the job.
Deputy shot in Deltona motivated to return to position
Rivera said he was “more motivated to get back out there doing my job.”
He added he is following his doctor’s recommendations.
Rivera said: “I’m hoping, hoping, to be back around mid-summer, if not end of summer.”
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Volusia Sheriff’s deputy shot twice goes to work at training academy
Reporting by Frank Fernandez, Daytona Beach News-Journal / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
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