Hometown Heroes

WOUNDED OFFICER ON FAST TRACK TO RECOVERY
By KEITH UPCHURCH :
The Herald-Sun kupchurch@heraldsun.com

Aug 15, 2009
DURHAM -- "Miraculous" is how a chaplain who is handling a fund for a Durham police officer who nearly died after being shot on duty last month describes the officer's recovery.

Ralph Thompson from Emergency Chaplains said on Friday that the fund has raised $1,500 so far to help the officer, Damon Youmans, as he continues to recover at home from his wound.

Youmans, 32, who had just joined the police force in May, was shot in the abdomen July 2 while responding to a call at an apartment on Shannon Road.

Thomas Rashawn Monroe, 23, of 3300 Shannon Road, Apt. 5A, has been charged with the shooting. He was indicted this week on a charge of assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury.

"We've had a good response from the community,' Thompson said. "People are sending $20 or $25. All donations, no matter how large or small, are significant, and he appreciates every one of them.'

Thompson said he delivers a check to Youmans at the officer's home every week. He said he got another check in the mail for Youmans on Friday and hopes donations to help the officer with unexpected expenses will continue to come in.

Thompson said Youmans spent about three weeks at Duke University Hospital, then returned home to continue his recovery, which he said has been remarkable.

"The week after he got out of the hospital, he was able to drive himself back for his doctor's appointments,' Thompson said. "He's doing some physical therapy and he hopes to be able to return to work, but he doesn't have a time frame on it,' he said.

"He's in really good spirits right now. From a spiritual side, I can tell you that he is very thankful to Jesus, his Lord and savior, for saving his life and for his miraculous recovery.'

"He's really been blessed by the outpouring of support from the community,' Thompson said. "And he's very thankful for all the people who played a part in saving his life -- from the 911 operator on down the line -- his fellow police officers, fire department, EMS, hospital emergency department and the surgeons. He is so grateful.'