PALM CITY, Fla. (CBS12 ) — It’s been two and a half months since a sergeant with the Port St. Lucie Police Department was shot twice in the face responding to a call.
Monday, his heroism is being honored.
Almost 130 people are playing in the ‘Golf for Heroes‘ tournament at Hammock Creek Golf Club in Palm City to honor Sgt. Erik Levasseurs‘ heroism. It’s hosted by “We Do Good,” a non-profit supporting veterans and law enforcement, and the PSLPD.
You may remember that Sgt. Levasseur was hospitalized for 37 days following the ambush shooting in Tradition.
“On December 1st, I got the phone call that no police chief ever wants and always dreads,” says Chief Leo Niemczyk, of the PSLPD.
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Chief Niemczyk says he believes Levasseur has had over eight surgeries, including eye procedures and the removal of bullet fragments. Sgt. Levasseur was released from the hospital on January 7th and improvements are being seen every day.
“His jaw is improving to the point where it’s not wired shut. He’s got some light rubber bands, and soon he’ll be able to start working his way up to solid food,” said Chief Niemczyk. “He’s got some eyesight in one of the two eyes, and they actually fit in some glasses for him to enhance what he’s got. When he first left the hospital, you saw he was walking with a cane, and he no longer needs that. So, I’m encouraged and incredibly inspired by his improvement.”
Almost 130 people are playing in the ‘Golf for Heroes’ tournament at Hammock Creek Golf Club in Palm City to honor Sergenat Erik Levasseurs’ heroism. It’s hosted by “We Do Good,” a non-profit supporting veterans and law enforcement, and the PSLPD. (WPEC)
Marine veteran and ‘We Do Good’ founder Charles Dame says that’s why raising funds for Levasseur is so important through this golf tournament.
“When a catastrophic injury happens to you in service as a U.S. Marine on the battlefield, I saw horrific things. But to see something like this happen in our own streets, here locally in Port St. Lucie, here on the Treasure Coast, we have to take care of our own,” said Dame.
Sergeant Levasseur is expected to arrive at the tournament around 4 P.M.
Already $13,000 has been raised and all proceeds raised from the event go directly to him. If you couldn’t make it out on Monday but would still like to donate to Sergeant Levasseur, click here.