Port St. Lucie police officer returns home after being shot on duty

A Port St. Lucie police officer is out of the hospital, returning home 37 days after being shot twice in the face while on duty.Sgt. Erik Levasseur of the Port St. Lucie Police was shot on Dec. 1 while responding to a call in the Lake Park neighborhood of Tradition.Levasseur underwent multiple surgeries to remove shrapnel from his eyes and repair his eyesight. Police shared a video Thursday showing Levasseur walking out of the hospital, marking a significant milestone in his recovery journey. The video includes the voice of police Chief Leo Niemczyk reminding Levasseur that he was never alone. “I want you to know that your PD and your city family have you in their thoughts and prayers and we’re thinking about you each and every day,” Niemczyk said. The video shows Levasseur and his wife walking through the “Tunnel of Hope,” walking past applauding hospital staff and Port St. Lucie police officers. The video captured Levasseur looking around at the supporters and patting his heart, before showing him in his car heading home, with a message on the police radio.”I’ll be back,” Levasseur said, with a response of “Great to hear your voice sergeant” from the radio.It remains unclear how much damage was done to Sgt. Levasseur’s eyes and the extent of his eyesight impairment.

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. —

A Port St. Lucie police officer is out of the hospital, returning home 37 days after being shot twice in the face while on duty.

Sgt. Erik Levasseur of the Port St. Lucie Police was shot on Dec. 1 while responding to a call in the Lake Park neighborhood of Tradition.

Levasseur underwent multiple surgeries to remove shrapnel from his eyes and repair his eyesight.

Police shared a video Thursday showing Levasseur walking out of the hospital, marking a significant milestone in his recovery journey.

The video includes the voice of police Chief Leo Niemczyk reminding Levasseur that he was never alone.

“I want you to know that your PD and your city family have you in their thoughts and prayers and we’re thinking about you each and every day,” Niemczyk said.

The video shows Levasseur and his wife walking through the “Tunnel of Hope,” walking past applauding hospital staff and Port St. Lucie police officers.

The video captured Levasseur looking around at the supporters and patting his heart, before showing him in his car heading home, with a message on the police radio.

“I’ll be back,” Levasseur said, with a response of “Great to hear your voice sergeant” from the radio.

It remains unclear how much damage was done to Sgt. Levasseur’s eyes and the extent of his eyesight impairment.