By Sarah Sinning
HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — A Harris County Precinct 4 constable deputy is back on the job months after surviving an ambush that left one officer dead, Fox26 reports.
During a ceremony on Monday, Constable Mark Herman welcomed Deputy Jaquim Barthen’s return to full duty. “He is ready to hit the streets,” he said, “and do God’s service for us in fighting crime.”
It’s been a long journey back for Barthen, who has endured months of medical procedures and physical therapy after being shot with an AR-15 rifle back in October. He was working an off-duty security job at a local nightclub with two other deputies when the three were ambushed, according to KTRK. Deputy Darryl Garret is still recovering in the hospital; Deputy Kareem Atkins was killed.
“I hate what happened to Atkins. I hate what happened to Garrett. I hate what happened to myself,” Barthen said.
But he also says that the support from the community has made him stronger.
“It has been a long road for this man,” Constable Herman said before a crowd of Barthen’s colleagues, family members and supporters. “To do what he has done and make it back, most people wouldn’t do it.”