MCCREARY COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18) — A McCreary County sheriff's deputy who was shot while on duty earlier this summer is now walking again.
Deputy Tyler Watkins was responding to a home to perform a welfare check in July when he was shot - once in his protective vest and again in his lower abdomen.
Now, Watkins is back on his feet with the support of his girlfriend, family and community.
Investigators said that Watkins was shot by Mark Dungan, 48, who has been charged with attempted murder.
Watkins was wheelchair-bound after the accident. He said that he still has nerve pain in his leg, but he is now up and walking again.
Watkins recently received the Medal of Honor from the Kentucky Sheriff's Association for his actions. He was credited with saving lives by returning fire at Dungan, causing him to leave the scene.
"You've got to risk your life everyday, that's why we wear those vests. But, knowing that I did protect those people does make me feel a lot better," said Watkins.
Watkins told LEX 18 that it was his dream to become a sheriff's deputy. Watkins said he plans to reuthn to his job as soon as he can.
