A large motorcade escorted Port St. Lucie Sgt. Erik Levasseur back to HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce Friday evening, marking a show of unity and respect as he returned home after surgery.The motorcade included law enforcement officers from multiple departments, such as the Port St. Lucie Police, the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Highway Patrol. Levasseur had spent several days at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, where surgeons removed shrapnel from both of his eyes. Levasseur was shot Monday night in the Lake Park neighborhood in Tradition. Bodycam footage from other officers at the scene captured the intense firefight with a resident. Levasseur was struck twice in the face and initially taken to Lawnwood before being flown to Miami for surgery. Port St. Lucie Police Chief Leo Niemczyk said Thursday that while it is unclear how damaged Levasseur’s eyes are, his sergeant is recovering well. “He is aware and alert and writing notes and making jokes to his wife and coworkers, so our spirits are heavily lifted,” Niemczyk said.Police noted that the community’s support has been uplifting. In a social media post Friday night, they wrote, “Your continued outpouring of love and encouragement is truly inspiring. Let us keep Sgt. Levasseur in our thoughts and prayers as he takes the next steps toward healing and recovery.”It remains unclear how long Sgt. Levasseur will need to stay at the hospital.

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. —

A large motorcade escorted Port St. Lucie Sgt. Erik Levasseur back to HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce Friday evening, marking a show of unity and respect as he returned home after surgery.

The motorcade included law enforcement officers from multiple departments, such as the Port St. Lucie Police, the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Highway Patrol. Levasseur had spent several days at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, where surgeons removed shrapnel from both of his eyes.

Levasseur was shot Monday night in the Lake Park neighborhood in Tradition. Bodycam footage from other officers at the scene captured the intense firefight with a resident. Levasseur was struck twice in the face and initially taken to Lawnwood before being flown to Miami for surgery.

Port St. Lucie Police Chief Leo Niemczyk said Thursday that while it is unclear how damaged Levasseur’s eyes are, his sergeant is recovering well.

“He is aware and alert and writing notes and making jokes to his wife and coworkers, so our spirits are heavily lifted,” Niemczyk said.

Police noted that the community’s support has been uplifting.

In a social media post Friday night, they wrote, “Your continued outpouring of love and encouragement is truly inspiring. Let us keep Sgt. Levasseur in our thoughts and prayers as he takes the next steps toward healing and recovery.”

It remains unclear how long Sgt. Levasseur will need to stay at the hospital.