Posted on 12/01/2016 1:17:54 PM PST by Huntress
FORSYTH, Mo. (KY3) -- "You know they ask you as a kid in school, what do you want to be when you grow up? And it was either major league baseball player or a police officer," says Deputy Darin Carter with the Taney County Sheriff's Office.
The Kansas City Royals fan says unfortunately a career in the major league wasn't in the cards for him. However, Carter says for 12 years he has loved the excitement and opportunities to serve his community as a law enforcement officer.
On September 16th, Carter was investigating a home in Hollister for a possible arrest. Authorities had been searching for a suspect vehicle related to a chase in Branson the day before. Carter spotted the vehicle and waited for backup from another deputy and a Highway Patrol Trooper before approaching the home. The residents initially refused to come to the door, but then the situation went downhill fast.
"The door swung open, and there was a male standing there with a handgun pointed at my chest," Carter recalls.
The man fired first. The first shot missed Carter, but in the ensuing gunfight, Carter was shot in the shoulder before the shooter was killed as the officers returned fire.
CORRECTION: A previous version of this story implied Deputy Carter was shot by the suspect who died in the confrontation. To clarify, the investigation revealed Deputy Carter was actually wounded by accidental friendly fire.
"You don't want anybody to get hurt at all. That's not what we're there for. We're not there to hurt people," Carter says.
The shooting was ruled justified, but Carter says he has nightmares. The bullet, which shattered inside Carter's shoulder, is painful. Carter's physical therapy is just beginning.
"My son asked me if he could take his football to school because I wasn't able to play catch with him outside, and that was kind of difficult for me," Carter says. "But it's gonna get better and I'll still get to do that with him soon. But there has been some stuff like that that's been taken from me and again, I don't want to be negative 'cause I'm very thankful that I'm here to talk to you. And that I wasn't hurt worse and that now I can, I have a voice to tell people how good God is for one, and just to other law enforcement officers to, man, be focused 'cause you just never know."
Now Carter is on desk duty for the department, waiting to go back on patrol next spring.
After a couple months on workman's comp pay, he's still trying to clear up hospital bills, but the community has stepped in to help with the financial burdens.
Notes of encouragement cover a wall inside Carter's home. Students from a Branson school sent him dozens of get well cards while he was still in the hospital. He's grateful, although he admits his pride makes it difficult to accept the assistance.
"There was a time it was difficult for me because I just felt like there's other people that need it more than us... but, God told me to let people love on me and my family... so we are. We're gonna be humble because hopefully one day we'll be able to return the favor," Carter says.
There will be a benefit for Deputy Carter and his family on December 3rd at the Missouri Ridge Distillery in Branson from 5 to 10 p.m.
Link to gofundme page: https://www.gofundme.com/support-darin-carter?ssid=824451400&pos=1
Geez...you get shot in the line of duty and only get 2/3 pay?? Does that sound wrong to anyone else. He should have gotten full pay plus all medical expenses. At a minimum.
Geez...you get shot in the line of duty and only get 2/3 pay?? Does that sound wrong to anyone else? He should have gotten full pay plus all medical expenses. At a minimum.
Sadly, workers comp., Long/Short Term Disability never cover the full salary loss during those times. That is why there are companies out there such as AFLAC.
An illegal alien wouldn’t be paying a cent for medical expenses.
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