Covington Officer Matt Cooper on the road to recovery

COVINGTON, Ga. (FOX 5 Atlanta) - Covington Police Officer Matt Cooper is on the road to recovery and could soon be headed home.

In September, a gunman shot Cooper before taking his life. It happened while the officer was on a call at a Walmart. The bullet hit his carotid artery. He's been off-duty ever since.

“He's walking, he's talking, he's going up and down stairs,” says Captain Ken Malcom. “We're just very excited about where he is right now.”

RELATED: Officer Matt Cooper begins therapy and rehabilitation

Cooper is recovering and undergoing therapy at Shepherd Center in Atlanta.

On Saturday, Covington will hold its annual Christmas parade. There was so much excitement about Officer Cooper's strides in recovery that the talk around town was that he would be in the parade. That is not the case, but we're told he could be home by the end of the year.

Meantime, Mystic Grill wanted to support The Cooper Family. On Friday, it sold Back the Blue Burgers. Proceeds from the special meal will benefit the family. The burgers will also be sold on Saturday.

SEE ALSO: Burgers with Buck: Mystic Grill honors injured Covington officer