Officer shot in head hires lawyer to get job back

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (WSVN) -- A Broward Sheriff's deputy says he is not ready to retire after recovering from a shooting that nearly took his life.

Twenty-eight-year-old Maury Hernandez took a .45 caliber bullet to the head while chasing a suspect in Hollywood on Aug. 6 2007 and fell into a coma.

He was not expected to live, much less regain the ability to walk or talk, but he pushed through his recovery everyday driven to wear the BSO uniform once again. "My heart and my passion is still there to serve the community like I always have," Hernandez said.

BSO placed Hernandez on permanent disability. Department officials said they discussed possible options with him, while Hernandez contends the BSO only offered him retirement. "I feel betrayed like words cannot explain," Hernandez said. "I've been living something for two years. All of a sudden it's a lie."

The deputy has now hired an attorney.

Broward Sheriff Al Lamberti contends his department has offered Hernandez several options to continue his work with BSO. "He has to make some critical decisions," Lamberti said. "He has that can-do attitude and spirit that we want at our department."

Some of the decisions presented to Hernandez include one made by doctors who will not permit Hernandez to once again be a full-fledged deputy. The other decisions are his own, including financial ones. He could return as a civilian employee and take a pay cut and lower benefits.

He must also consider the risk of a re-injury on the job, which could mean the loss of the disability benefits he currently receives. "I'm very realistic in my situation, and I know I have my limitations," Hernandez said. "There's no question about it, but there are things that I could do, and there are places where I can be placed that I can make a difference and continue to make a difference for the citizens of Broward County."

"I, for one, want to see him back here at BSO," Lamberti said, "but I'm not selfish enough to think that I'll take him at all costs. It's his own life that he has to worry about. I want to make absolutely sure that he is doing the right thing for himself before thinking of the Broward Sheriff's Office."

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