A Port St. Lucie police sergeant wounded in the line of duty was awarded a Purple Heart this afternoon, as part of the Port St. Lucie Police Department’s quarterly ceremony.
“I have a long road ahead of me,” Sgt. Erik Levasseur said after the awards ceremony. He added that he’s “very eager” to get back to work, and that receiving this Purple Heart was “overwhelming.”
WATCH: Sgt. Levasseur speaks about recovery
Sgt. Levasseur was shot in the face while responding to a call in the 11000 block of Southwest Lake Park Drive on Dec. 1. The 27-year veteran had multiple surgeries to repair facial injuries, had a wired jaw and was relying on a tracheotomy, according to police.
He also had two surgeries to remove bullet fragments from his eyes.
WATCH:Sergeant released from hospital after shooting
In early January, more than a month after the shooting, Sgt. Levasseur was released from the hospital.
“When we use the word miraculous, there’s no other way to explain it,” Police Chief Leo Niemczyk said of Levasseur’s recovery. He said in January that Levasseur was reporting no vision in his right eye and shadowy vision in his left eye.