A former Police Chief talks about the shooting that nearly cost him his life and how he recovered

CAPAC, Mich. (WXYZ) - Raymond Hawks says April 16th, 2008 changed his life forever.  It was the day the former Police Chief of Capac was shot while responding to a call about a man racing up and down a city street. 

Hawks says he decided to have the man's car towed so he couldn't hurt anyone, but the man, Donald Burke came outside with a shotgun and opened fire.  Chief Hawks was hit in the side, fell to the ground and made a desperate call to 911 as he was losing blood and fading fast.

He ended up spending 50 days in the hospital, 17 of them in a coma. His wife Vickie says more than once, doctors told her to prepare for the worst. "I don't know why, I just never thought he would die," she says.

 He didn't. He has come home to her but he was never able to go back to work.  The massive injuries left him dizzy most of the time, taking more than 40 pills a day and his memory has changed. Fighting back tears he says, "I look at friends I have known all my life and can't remember their names".  He says that is so difficult.

At the same time, he and Vickie say they are grateful for many things, including of course their family, grandchildren and their dog Grace who has been at Ray's side everyday.

Ray also says he is thankful for a long career in law enforcement, one that started in Pontiac so many years ago and end in Capac in 2008.

A Deputy who was also shot that day has fully recovered and the shooter, Donald Burke is in prison serving a sentence of 30-60 years.