DALLAS (KRLD) - A Dallas police officer shot in the line of duty has returned to work, and accepted an award for her perseverance.
Officer Crystal Almeida was shot in the face while responding to a call in 2018. Her partner was killed during the incident. Almeida lost sight in one eye and continues to go through physical therapy. Despite this, she came back to work three months later.
Dallas Police Chief Renee Hall thanked Almeida, saying she's "determined to be courageous each and every day."
Almeida was given the Theodore Roosevelt award, which goes to a local police officer each year who shows exceptional courage while overcoming adversity.
Almeida said to a crowd Thursday that "there are not enough thank-you's that I can say to everyone, first I would like to thank God for giving me the strength to heal as fast as I have, and for allowing me to continue living my life."
She also says she "looks forward to the knowledge I get every day, and to do the thing I love most - helping people."
