PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (CBS12) — The Port St. Lucie Police sergeant who was shot in the face twice near Town Park community in Tradition is still fighting the good fight, according to an update from Law Enforcement.

In a Tuesday release from the Port St. Lucie Police Department (PSLPD), Sergeant Erik LeVasseur who was critically injured while in the line of duty is currently in a medically induced coma after undergoing a second surgery to repair his facial features. In addition to the surgery, his jaw was wired shut for recovery and a tracheostomy was done to keep his airway secure.

Police say physicians have also confirmed the presence of shrapnel in his retina, which will require removal by a specialized surgical team. PSLPD states that arrangements are currently being made to transport Sergeant LeVasseur to an alternate trauma center to remove the shrapnel.

After the operation he has to return to HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital for continued care and recovery.

The Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) and the Sergeant’s Union are actively supporting the family and will provide ways the police department and community members can assist.

PSLPD said the shooting happened sometime after 6 p.m. on Monday on SW Lake Park Drive. Six officers responded to a home in the Town Park community in Tradition for a call for service. Police believe the call stemmed from a neighbor dispute that also involved a mental-health component.

Police report that when officers arrived at the scene, they encountered a man armed with what appeared to be an AK-47 assault rifle. Shots were fired almost immediately, resulting in Sergeant Erik LeVasseur being shot twice in the face — once beside his nose and once below it. Fortunately, the bullets did not hit his spine or any vital arteries. The suspect, later identified as Frankie Riccio, 32, was shot and killed at the scene. It remains unclear who fired first.

“I was unloading the groceries, and one of the cops yelled, get in the house! Get in the house! Which I did,” said Ken Taylor, a neighbor who lives across the street from Riccio’s house.

Police say Riccio did not comply with several commands by police and he began shooting at the officers.

“All hell broke loose. Sounded like World War Three out here. I heard 30, 40, 50 shots. And I came to the window, and they were all over the place here, the cops,” Taylor said. One of the bullets flew through a neighbor’s garage door across the street from where the gunman lived.

Police released body-cam video of the shooting. In the video, you can hear numerous shots, and then police rushing over to Riccio’s body on the ground when the gunfire ended.

“I believe it was some type of neighbor dispute involving a mental health call. The officers responded. They took great caution approaching the house. It was reported to them by the mother of the suspect that he had been abusing store-bought simulated marijuana for the last 24 hours and she had been having a lot of difficulty with him,” said Port St. Lucie Police Chief Leo Niemczyk.

Sgt. LeVasseur was rushed to HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce and underwent surgery Monday night. Overnight, he remained in “serious condition” in the ICU.

Police cars lined up outside HCA Lawnwood all day Tuesday. Like many in the community, paying their respects and waiting for an update on Sgt. LeVasseur’s recovery.

In an earlier update from the police department on Facebook Tuesday morning, it expressed “hope” for LeVasseur’s recovery. The post read in part quote “his strength inspires us all, and we stand firmly by him and his family in this trying time.”

The same goes for those who live in the quiet Port St. Lucie neighborhood where LeVasseur lives. His family declined an interview with CBS12 News on Tuesday, but their neighbors also standing firmly behind them.

The woman who lives next door to LeVasseur tells us he was a kind and generous man, always helping keep her home protected against storms.

The shooting also sparked an outpouring of support from law enforcement agencies across the Treasure Coast and Palm Beach County.

The St. Lucie County Sheriff Office taking to Facebook to send their thoughts and prayers, saying they, “Stand united with our brothers and sisters at PSLPD during this incredibly difficult time.”

The Martin County Sheriff’s Office posting on FB, “When one agency suffers, we all feel it. When one of our own is attacked, we all stand together.”

And the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office posting on FB, “This is a sad reminder of the uncertainty officers face every time they respond to a call.”

Like when Sgt. LeVasseur and the five other officers got the call, they responded with bravery and dedication to keeping the community safe.

Port St. Lucie Police Department officials also declined an interview with CBS12 News on Tuesday. Again, we know Sgt. LeVasseur has been with the agency for 27 years, but CBS12 News wanted to learn more about his years of service and coming up through the ranks.

The Port St. Lucie Police Department (PSLPD) expressed gratitude for the overwhelming community response. “His strength inspires us all, and we stand firmly by him and his family in this trying time,” the department said in a statement Tuesday morning.

See also: Florida bids farewell to Sgt. Terri Sweeting-Mashkow in heartfelt memorial service

Authorities have not released details about the suspect or motive, as the investigation continues. PSLPD praised the swift assistance from neighboring agencies, including the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, Martin County Sheriff’s Office, Fort Pierce Police Department, Stuart Police Department, EMS teams, and dispatchers. “Your unwavering dedication exemplifies true camaraderie,” the statement read.

Local businesses, including Mission BBQ, were also recognized for providing meals to officers and staff. “Your support continues to lift us, demonstrating the power of a caring community,” PSLPD added.

As the city waits for updates on Sgt. LeVasseur’s condition, the department urged unity and resilience: “Stay strong, and thank you for being the backbone in these trying times.”

Police Chief Niemczyk says having to inform an officer’s loved ones that they’ve been shot is very tough. “It’s the notification that you just dread everyday. But it’s always in the back of your mind. As a Police Chief, as a leader in law enforcement it’s something that you’re always very aware of, afraid of, concerned for. And then it happens,” Chiefr Niemczyk said.

Florida Department of Law Enforcement is the lead investigation agency into the shooting.

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