WASHINGTON — A sheriff’s deputy who was shot at close range with a shotgun while on a domestic violence call early Thursday morning continues to improve.
Deputy First Class Scott Hogan of the Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office in Maryland was critically injured. Doctors called his injury “devastating.”
He was upgraded to serious condition on Friday.
The 32-year-old deputy was scheduled for more surgery on Saturday, said Detective Chase Armington with the county sheriff’s office. According to the Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page, the deputy is facing additional surgeries.
Armington, the president of the Fraternal Order of Police for Queen Anne’s County, said Hogan has a long road to recovery. The FOP, he said, has launched a Gofundme campaign to help his family.
Hogan was asked to help a woman grab some of her belongings at her home after a violent domestic incident earlier in the evening on Wednesday in Chestertown, Maryland. “While [Hogan] was there,” Armington said, “the incident took a significant turn for the worst.”
The suspect, 52-year-old James Rich, quickly grabbed a shotgun, Armington said.
“As he turned the corner he was able to fire one round in the direction of Deputy Hogan. Deputy Hogan was struck in the right abdomen, and he was able to return fire.” Rich was wounded and later died.
Armington said the woman and the suspect’s own son were also in the house at the time. “They were both protected by Deputy Hogan and were able to make it out of the house safely,” Armington said.
An outpouring of well wishes, food, and monetary support has come from people and from law enforcement across the county, which Armington said is greatly appreciated.
Well wishes can be left on the sheriff’s Facebook page or the Queen Anne’s County Fraternal Order of Police Facebook page.
“We’re making sure that the family gets a chance to see all of them,” Armington said.
