Wounded California Officer Continues Recovery

COLTON, Calif. -- The father of a San Bernardino police officer shot in the head two weeks ago said Monday that the community's support has been vital in the treatment of his son, who remained hospitalized.

Capt. Ron Garcia, Gabriel Garcia's father, speaking publicly for the first time since his son was shot in the line of duty, said at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center that he appreciated the support from law enforcement, residents, and others nationally and internationally.

"You don't know what a difference it's made," Capt. Garcia says of the support from various local communities.

Garcia declined to discuss the wounded officer's condition in detail, and the hospital's chief of surgery, Dev GnanaDev, said he would respect the family's wishes.

"It will be six months to a year before we know how he's recovered," GnanaDev said, adding Garcia had been shot in the head and in the chest.

Garcia began breathing on his own late last week after being in a medically induced coma since the day of the shooting, but Police Chief Jarrod Burguan cautioned Friday that he remained in critical condition.

Garcia was shot in the head when he and an unidentified trainee approached a group of six individuals near 19th Street and Garner Avenue around 2 a.m. Aug. 22. Police say the trainee killed the shooter in the return fire, and three men who were present have pleaded not guilty to attempted murder of a peace officer and possessing an assault rifle.

The trainee has now returned to full duty, said Lt. Rich Lawhead.

Officer Garcia, 31, is a six-year veteran of the department who works as a training officer.

After graduating from Yucaipa High School, he began a career in human resources before deciding a desk job wasn't for him and following his father into law enforcement.

"He was mentally and physically prepared for the challenge of this profession -- but really, how do you prepare for this?" Garcia's father said.

McClatchy-Tribune News Service