A Henry County officer who was shot in the face during a struggle with a suspect has been transferred to the Shepherd Center in Atlanta to begin the long road to recovery.
Officer Michael Smith was transferred on Friday from Grady Memorial Hospital to begin brain injury rehabilitation at the center just over a week after the fight that nearly took his life.
Smith was the responding officer to Smile Creators Family and Cosmetics Dentistry on Jonesboro Road in McDonough on the morning of Dec. 6 when he was confronted by the suspect - 53-year-old Dimaggio McNelly.
Investigators said that staffers at the dentistry had called in the first place because McNelly was acting strangely in the lobby and they were frightened.
Henry Co. police officer in critical condition after getting shot in the face
The situation quickly deteriorated as Smith tried to take control of the situation and McNelly became combative. When use of a Taser wasn't successful, Smith and McNelly became embroiled in a battle over the officer's gun.
A single bullet somehow killed McNelly while also critically injuring Smith who was rushed to Grady.
His journey will begin in the Intensive Care Unit for evaluation, care and observation but he will soon be moved into the rehab program where they will begin therapy.
The center specializes in medical treatment, research and rehabilitation for people with spinal cord and brain injuries and is listed as one of the top rehabilitation hospitals by U.S. News & World Report.
In a statement, Shepherd said the family was grateful for the outpouring of support they had received and for the care they received while at Grady.
Now, they're asking for privacy as Smith begins the early stages of his recovery.