Seventeen weeks after being wounded in a shooting that claimed the life of one of his comrades, a Douglas County, Colorado Sheriff's deputy is back on the job.
Deputy Jeff Pelle was struck by a bullet that nearly hit his heart after an ambush attack by a mentally ill man inside a Highland Ranch partment on New Year's Eve, according to KUSA-TV.
Deputy Zack Parrish was killed in the shooting and three other officers besides Pelle were wounded.
The other officers were released from the hospital a few days after the shooting but Pelle, who suffered a severe gunshot wound, wasn't discharged until Jan. 19. He finally returned to the force on Monday, April 30.
The deputy's father, Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle, said that it's a "huge milestone" for his son.
"He was excited about going back to work today," Pelle said. "He's in detectives for the time being until he's ready to return to the street."
In the months since the attack, Pelle received well wishes from people across the country including movie star Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, who called his recovery "a setup for an even bigger comeback."
