SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — For San Diego Police Sergeant Anthony Elliott, December 7 marks an emotional anniversary because it is one year since he was shot in the head while on duty.
The husband and father of two has made a remarkable recovery in the months since the incident. But while many call him a hero, Elliott says the true hero is his wife, Laura.
“It’s hard to believe it’s already been 12 months,” Elliott said.
The sergeant was chasing a domestic violence suspect at a shopping center in 4S Ranch in December 2023 when the suspect opened fire at point-blank range.
Body camera footage showed the heart stopping moment when the bullet struck Elliott, coming within a millimeter of killing him. Fragments of the bullet are still lodged in his brain, leaving him paralyzed on his left side and requiring months of intensive rehabilitation to regain his ability to walk.
“It was hard in the beginning and still is hard, physically and mentally,” Elliott said. “But things are good. I feel like I’m as recovered as I’m going to be.”
Elliott credits his recovery to his wife, who stayed by his side through every challenge.
“I don’t think I would have made the recovery I did without her advocating, not sleeping, staying by my side and asking the questions I didn’t know how to ask,” he said.
During his recovery, Laura juggled caring for her husband and their two young sons, often pushing through her own exhaustion and fears.
“It’s emotional — knowing everything she did,” Elliott said. “I’m very thankful. The sacrifice, and experiencing all the pain and depression, she just muscled through it. It was very impressive to watch.”
For Laura, the experience was both overwhelming and deeply emotional.
“He was still in a very critical state at the beginning, with a very high mortality rate,” she recalled. “I remember just staying up watching his monitors, his oxygen, and seeing his oxygen go down and having to call the nurse to come in. One of the first things I thought of was, ‘How do I tell the kids if something happens?’”
Despite the odds, Elliott returned to work in October, transitioning to an administrative role with the SWAT operations unit. This month, the couple is preparing to welcome a new addition to their family — a baby girl.
“Her name is going to be Sophia,” Laura shared, smiling.
For the Elliotts, the new baby is a much needed fresh start after a challenging year.
“It’s kind of our miracle baby,” Elliott said. “She wouldn’t be here if I didn’t make it — which was very close.”
