Covington police Officer Matt Cooper will be home for Christmas, about four months after fighting for his life after being shot in the head on Labor Day by a criminal suspect.
The Shepherd Center said Wednesday that Cooper has completed his brain injury rehabilitation, according to a Facebook post.
“Today marked his graduation from the inpatient brain injury rehabilitation program,” the center’s Facebook post said.
“Through fist bumps, thumbs ups, hugs and kind words, he greeted and thanked his family and friends, as well as his colleagues from the Covington Police Department, who gave him and his family a police escort out of Shepherd Center and onto Peachtree Road.”
Cooper, 34, married and a father of two, was moved to the Shepherd Center on Sept. 13. He first was placed in intensive care but later was moved to the Brain Injury Rehabilitation program, the center said.
The six-year veteran of the Covington police force was shot while chasing an alleged shoplifter at a local Walmart, authorities said.
MORE: Covington police officer shot near Walmart; 1 person dead
He was shot between his eyes, and the bullet traveled down to his carotid artery, clotting his blood and saving his life. His wife, Kristen, told Channel 2 Action News the bullet will not be removed.
“I feel very appreciative of all the donations and prayers and support from my community,” he told Channel 2 in November.
RELATED: 'I feel very appreciative': Wounded Covington officer speaks about long recovery
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