WHITE BEAR LAKE, Minn. — Officer Ryan Sheak is back home recuperating after being shot three times in January while serving a warrant.
He counts his blessings and is grateful to be able to tell his survival story.
“I feel pretty good, you know. Each day is better than the last,” he said.
Sheak was shot in the leg, abdomen and pelvis January 24. When it all happened, he said that all he could think about was his colleagues.
“Everyone on the ground is still going through things. It’s not just me. I care about everyone out there who supports me, who’s on my team and we’re going through this together. And we’re still going through this together and navigating this trip,” he said.
He has pictures of those officers and dispatchers on his counter. It is their support and that of others that help him to keep going.
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At a time when some communities’ relationships with law enforcement are strained, Sheak says it’s refreshing to receive positive messages from around the country.
“We’ve seen such an outpouring of support and we as law enforcement are starting to see this turn of events from people wanting to reach out and support us,” he said.
The six-year police veteran was born and raised in White Bear Lake. He loves the people he serves and is thankful for those with whom he serves.
Since he is away from work, he listens to the police scanner. Hearing his colleagues’ voices is healing for Sheak.
“I’m ready to go back. Ready to put the gear back on, go back with my colleagues, my colleagues, my family,” he said.
Sheak says the Front Line Foundation, which helps first responders in need, helped him and his family. He sits on their board and knows that the mission is to help Minnesota’s more than 60,000 first responders and their families.
Reg Chapman
