Feb 2024. Blues Vol 40 No. 2

AROUND THE COUNTRY
SAN DIEGO, CA.
Sgt. Elliott Anthony, of the San Diego Police Department, was
welcomed home by members of his department after undergoing
extensive rehabilitation.
By Karen Kucher,
The San Diego Union-Tribune
SAN DIEGO, CA. — A San Diego
police sergeant shot in the head
in December — leaving him with
injuries that initially left him unable
to walk — returned home Tuesday
after making what city officials
called “an amazing recovery.”
Accompanied by family members,
Sgt. Anthony Elliott walked off an
airplane and was greeted by Police
Chief David Nisleit and several other
officers at San Diego International
Airport.
A procession of police motorcycles
later led him into his neighborhood,
where neighbors waved signs
and cheered as he approached,
according to a video released by the
police department.
“Hello! Thanks, everybody!” he
shouted, as he was hugged by children.
On the video, Elliott pauses in
front of a home and addresses the
crowd gathered around him.
“I’m profoundly grateful for the
department and the community. I
love you guys,” he said, adding that
he was trying not to cry.
“I wouldn’t have progressed the
way I did if you guys didn’t love me,
so (that is) very much appreciated.”
The police department posted
video of his homecoming on X, the
social media site formerly known
as Twitter.
Elliott has undergone extensive
rehabilitation since he was shot in
the head Dec. 7 in a parking lot outside
a grocery store in 4S Ranch.
After the shooting, Elliott lost the
use of his left arm and leg and was
initially unable to walk, the department
said. He was moved to an outof-state
facility Dec. 21 to continue
rehabilitation therapy.
His dramatic physical improvement
is obvious as he walks off the
plane, shown on the video released
Tuesday night. He was accompanied
by his wife, Laura, and two young
sons.
According to the department,
Elliott will continue therapy at an
outpatient rehab facility in the San
Diego area.
Elliott was shot during a confrontation
with 46-year-old Curtis
Harris in a Ralphs parking lot on 4S
Commons Drive.
Investigators said Elliott and
three other officers had gone to the
store to serve a protection order on
Harris.
Body-worn camera footage released
by the department showed
Harris running away from the officers
as they approached him just
outside the grocery store. Elliott
gave chase, and Harris opened fire.
The three other officers returned
gunfire and fatally shot Harris.
“He and his family continue to be
grateful for the support they receive
from the entire San Diego community,”
the department said in a
statement.
46 The Blues - February ‘24