MADISON COUNTY, AL (WAFF) -
All of us have something to be thankful for this holiday season but one Madison County Sheriff's deputy has a long list of people he would like to thank.
Deputy Brent Beavers with the Madison County Sheriff's Office was shot in late November while making a traffic stop outside of a gas station in Hazel Green.
Beavers is now at home recovering, and spending the holidays with his family. He was released from the hospital a week ago and has had a follow up appointment since. He said that appointment went well, and now it's only a matter of time before he's back doing what he loves.
He has injuries to his chest and face. He is missing a tooth, and has a hole the size of a half dollar in his throat - the daily physical reminders of a night that has drastically changed Beavers' life.
"After the shooting they had to clear an airway because of the swelling, it was closing down, or I wouldn't be able to breathe. They did a tracheotomy," said Beavers.
The Madison County Deputy is waiting on the hole in his throat to heal from the inside out. In the meantime he's enjoying the holidays at home with his family.
Presents, food, even financial support have found their way to the Beavers' household, along with thoughts and prayers from people he's known his entire life, as well as total strangers.
"An incident like this gives people a chance to sit back and reflect, and sometimes it affects them if they weren't directly involved, or more so than the people who were involved," he said.
And while he is enjoying his time at home Beavers doesn't plan to dwell for too long.
"I'm hoping to get cleared, and not too long after that get back to work," he said.
Beaver's said his goal is to return to work by January if possible.
The man accused of shooting Beavers remains locked up in a maximum security prison in Nashville.
Joseph Shriver is charged with attempted murder. He's due in court in Lincoln County, Tennessee at the beginning of the year.
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Brent Beavers (source: Madison County Sheriff's Dept.)
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