The La Porte County Sheriff’s Deputy who was shot and critically wounded in May in Michigan City is making what are described as “truly remarkable” improvements in rehab in Chicago.
Deputy Jon Samuelson suffered paralysis from the chest down when a bullet lodged in his neck.
The sheriff’s office has been providing periodic updates about his recovery.
Update number 6 says he no longer has to wear a cervical collar or neck brace.
It says there have been “incredibly positive and exciting developments.”
Those include subtle sensation in his thighs and lower back and the ability to move a big toe on command.
The sheriff's office called that “Truly remarkable!”
Samuelson remains in in-patient rehabilitation.
Provided
He was shot at the Franciscan Health Hospital in Michigan City on the morning of May 22nd.
Samuelson dropped a man off there at the man's request after encountering him on the side of a road nearby with an apparently disabled vehicle.
Moments later, according to prosecutors, he learned that the man, 22-year-old Sharod Grafton Jr., of Chicago, was wanted for the armed carjacking of his mother's vehicle in Chicago earlier that morning.
The deputy had radioed dispatch that he was giving Grafton a ride and gave his name and information about the vehicle.
Samuelson returned to the hospital emergency room and there was a confrontation.
It's alleged that Grafton had a gun in the pocket of his hoodie and he shot the deputy during a struggle, and then stood over his motionless body and appeared to be trying to shoot him again, according to court documents.
Grafton was apprehended in a wooded area adjacent to the hospital. It's unclear whether Samuelson searched the man before giving him a ride in his police vehicle.
“This is a senseless shooting that didn’t have to take place,” Indiana State Police Sgt. Glen Fifield said at the time. “This officer thought he was helping a stranded motorist. He thought he was helping someone, and it turns into this.”
Charges against Grafton include attempted murder.
From the La Porte County Sheriff:
𝐔𝐏𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄 #6 – 𝐃𝐄𝐏𝐔𝐓𝐘 𝐉𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐍 𝐒𝐀𝐌𝐔𝐄𝐋𝐒𝐎𝐍An update filled with excitement, joy, blessings, love and thankfulness.
Late last month, Deputy Samuelson’s medical team determined the cervical collar Jon had worn continuously since May 22 was no longer necessary. The removal of the brace has brought Jon a tremendous amount of relief and represented yet another accomplishment in his healing process.
Near the beginning of this month, Deputy Samuelson transitioned from inpatient to outpatient rehabilitation. He has since returned to inpatient status at the same rehabilitation facility in Illinois. The return to inpatient status was related to equipment issues. Jon, Quinn and his medical team felt returning to inpatient rehabilitation was necessary at this point. This move allows Jon to continue working with the same staff he has become familiar with over the past couple of months, while also providing additional benefits as he continues his rehabilitation.
And very recently, there have been some incredibly positive and exciting developments.
Subtle sensation is returning to Jon’s thighs. Additionally, Jon is describing sensation in his buttocks and lower back.
Jon’s upper torso balance and strength have also greatly improved. He is able to sit upright more freely and comfortably, and has even been completing sets of modified push-ups from a seated position on a mat.
And last, but certainly not least, early last week Jon began to move his big right toe on command.
Truly remarkable!
These may seem like small movements to some, but to Jon, Quinn, and everyone who has been following his journey, they are HUGE milestones.
Late last week, a very special delivery was made to Jon and Quinn.
The couple’s now service-certified, two-year-old chocolate Labrador, Mable, was reunited with them. It marked the first time Jon, Quinn and Mable had all been together since May 22.Quinn described the reunion as “amazing!”
As the old saying goes, “Just what the doctor ordered.”
In the days and weeks ahead, Jon will continue to fight and battle every obstacle that comes before him. He and Quinn remain incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support they have received through messages, cards, donations, and prayers.
The journey continues. And with each milestone, there is another reason to celebrate.
