NORTH CANTON , Ohio (WJW) – Officer Patrick Lewis was shot in the arm on Nov. 18 during a standoff with a wanted fugitive.
Lewis, a nine-year veteran for North Canton police and a master operator for Canton Regional SWAT, was behind his sniper rifle trying to locate James Vanest, 68, who was in a corner room at Roadway Inn in Jackson Township .
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Police said Vanest started firing at officers.
“I just heard a loud gunshot, and my arm just hurt instantly,” Lewis said.
With his arm bent against his body, the bullet hit him in the forearm area and went out through his triceps, Lewis told FOX 8 News.
Lewis said he got himself to cover and tried to apply a tourniquet himself, but fellow SWAT officers immediately came to his aid and applied the tourniquet for him and helped him stand so he could run from the scene.
“Without their quick thinking and reaction, I don’t know if I would’ve left that scene,” he said.
Just over a month later, Lewis is still recovering. He’s been through three surgeries and has two more to go. He’s working with therapists daily to regain movement in his arm and fingers.