Determined policeman recovers from gunshot
On the night of February twelfth of this year a rookie police officer found himself looking down the wrong end of a criminal’s loaded gun. When the pistol went off and the bullet struck his head, the young cop’s career, not to mention his life, should have been over. Tonight News 5’s Jacqueline Woods explain why it’s not.
P.C. Kevin Jacobs, Injured in the Line of Duty
“Yes, I remember being shot, but at the time when I got shot it was like I got shot but I did not feel it at the time. I got shot and I shot him and I was walking up to him, I did not feel it right away, it was a couple of minutes after that I started to feel like a burning sensation on the left side of my face and that?s when I realised, man he actually got me.?
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
Twenty-five year old Police Constable Kevin Jacobs had been with the force for almost eight months when he was asked to respond to a robbery in progress in San Ignacio. In an exchange of gunfire, one of the robber’s bullets caught Jacobs in the face. He was left unconscious and clinging to life. Five months later, following countless surgeries and painful rehabilitation, Jacobs is back on his feet and on the road to a full recovery.
Ruby Nickell, Mother
?The bullet is in his head right now. It break up in three pieces and is still in his head. It damaged a part of his brain, but the doctor is saying that the brain will be okay.?
The tragedy took a toll on the family, but it strengthened the bond between mother and son. Today, Ruby Nickell knows just how close she came to losing her loved one and appreciates every minute she gets to spend with him. Jacobs says one reason why he is alive today is his mother?s constant care.
P.C Kevin Jacobs
?I would say thanks to my mom. They prayed for me and for some reason, I don?t know, but I had that faith in my heart that I am not ready to die, I have a lot to live for. And even though I was in pain I still kept on praying to God to please help me through this.?
Jacobs, who was stationed in San Ignacio, is scheduled to return to work at the end of July. But as much as he would like to continue to do what he loves, he knows there is a possibility that he may not be able to continue on active duty.
Kevin Jacobs
?I always wanted to join police. I love to force and yes I?ll go back, but I am not in a hurry to go back. I will go back.?
Ruby Nickell
?Well we don?t know yet, we need to do a follow-up with the doctors and after July then they will let us know. But more or less he?ll be working.?
Nickell says her son has problems remembering things, but the doctor has assured them that the condition will improve with time. Nickell, who works at the Belmopan police station, says the incident has made her appreciate more the job the police do to protect the lives of others even if that means putting their own lives at risk.
Ruby Nickell
?It?s not every day you could ridicule the police, because they are out there for the people. And this, what happened to my son, is something that the people should see that these are the things that police really go through. It?s a very dangerous job and sometimes people should stop and think, give the police more credit because whenever they call the police need to show up and when they show up they could never tell what would happen to them.?
As for Jacobs, he?s not looking for any medals, just respect from the community for fellow officers trying to fight crime.
P.C. Kevin Jacobs
?Whenever a police get a call they always try their best to go and help the citizens. And I would advise them to at least assist the police in any way they can because I myself, we put our lives on the line to help the citizens, you know.?
Jacobs says if he can no longer be put on patrol he would be just as happy working from a desk… as long as he’s still a policeman. Jacqueline Woods for News 5.
