COVINGTON, Ga. — A Covington Police officer who was shot in the head May 23 continues to progress on his road to recovery.
Officer Rashad Rivers took to Facebook via the Covington Police Department page to share a promising update about the recovery he has made just a week-and-a-half after she was shot in the line of duty.
Rivers said he's appreciated the overwhelming support he has received from the metro Atlanta community and beyond over the past week and that he's excited to get back out and serve his community.
"Hey guys, Officer Rivers here. Just wanted to let you know that I really, really appreciate all the thoughts and prayers. I am doing OK, and yes I do have my jaw wired shut but I am doing fine and as soon as I'm cleared to go I will be back in Covington. Until then, God bless," Rivers said in the video.
>>Watch his full update below:
Rivers underwent surgery at Grady Hospital to fix his jaw after he was shot and was released from the hospital just four days later.
Rivers joined the police department said he joined the police force in 2023 after earning the Leadership Award for his class. After the shooting, the police department asked the community to keep Rivers in their thoughts.
Rivers was shot at the OYO Hotel on Alcovy Road; police said after officers said they initially responded to the hotel at 10:30 p.m. for a domestic fight. They added a man confronted the first officer on the scene with a gun.
The two eventually began shooting at each other, with the officer -- Rivers -- being shot in the head. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation identified the suspect as 23-year-old Treyvorius Stodghill.
The agency said a second responding officer arrived at the scene and saw Stodghill, who was allegedly pointing a gun at Rivers-- who was already down.
"Stodghill was shot and killed by a Covington Police Officer during the incident," the GBI said in a news release. They will conduct an autopsy on Stodghill's body.