Covington Officer Matt Cooper celebrates 35th birthday

COVINGTON, Ga. (FOX 5 Atlanta) - He was able to spend Christmas at home and Monday, Covington Police Officer Matt Cooper celebrated another milestone. He turned 35!

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Officer Cooper was released Dec. 19 from the Shepherd Center where he was in rehab after being shot in the head by a suspected shoplifter just three months earlier. The bullet hit his carotid artery. He underwent several surgeries including one to relieve swelling on his brain at Grady Memorial Hospital and was transferred a week later to begin rehab.

The Covington Police Department posted a graphic Monday honoring the officer’s birthday. It read:

“Never take for granted that last candle you place on your birthday cake each year. There are people who have fought for that flame to shine bright; fought for another year to shine their light on the world. Happy 35th Birthday Officer Matt Cooper #I48ShineingBright #35YearsStrong #Blessed.”

RELATED: Covington Officer Matt Cooper goes home from rehab

This is just the latest sign of the community’s continued commitment to rally around the officer.

We wish him a very happy birthday and many, many more.

Wednesday, Officer Cooper graduated from the facility’s inpatient brain injury rehab program.

His friends, family, and coworkers were all there to help him celebrate.

Members of the Covington Police Department then gave him and his family a police escort as they left the facility.

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