A St. Charles Parish, La. Sheriff's deputy who was shot multiple times in an ambush last week was released from a hospital and returned home on Tuesday.
Cpl. Burt Hazeltine was working in a school traffic zone when he sustained gunshots to his face, chest and arm after a confrontation on April 16 with an irate motorist in Paradis, according to The Times-Picayune.
Hazeltine received a police escort from LSU Interim Hospital in New Orleans to his home in Des Allemands. While he has improved, officials say the deputy has a long road ahead of him to recovery.
"I am thrilled to announce that by the grace of God Corporal Burt Hazeltine has been released from the hospital to continue his recovery at home," Sheriff Greg Champagne said in a statement. "We thank everyone for your prayers and support!"
Authorities say they think the suspect, 58-year-oldJohn Paul Devillier, might have been upset that he had to wait several minutes in traffic to turn.
He was arrested shortly after the shooting and was booked with attempted first-degree murder of a peace officer, two counts of battery of a peace officer and resisting an officer by force.
He remains in jail under a $1 million bond.
