WALLA WALLA, Wash. — Days after he was shot in the line of duty, Washington State Patrol Trooper Dean Atkinson’s fiancé, Meagan, gave the community an update on the Hot Mama’s Espresso Facebook page.
He did receive multiple gun shots to his head and hand which miraculously caused little damage to anything. God was definitely looking over him. He received a gunshot wound to his left hand which is his non weapon firing hand and has been treated as well. He is currently conscious and alert and is able to answer yes no questions with a nod of his head as well as thumbs up. He does have a breathing tube in place due to the swelling around his upper airway but that is looking like it will be removed tomorrow. He has been told he can return to duty once healed if he so chooses and he pumped his fist and smiled with joy. He is one tough guy and I imagine will be reaching out to each one of you as soon as he can.
Trooper Atkinson’s GoFundMe has already raised over $40,000 as of Monday evening.
Walla Walla Businesses are also working to support his recovery.
Winery and vineyard, Bledsoe McDaniels, is auctioning off a 2019 magnum Pinot Noir from their library. They posted to Facebook, saying the proceeds will go directly to the Trooper’s GoFundMe.
Hot Mama’s Espresso, a coffee shop in Walla Walla, is planning a spaghetti feed with the Cowboy Church on October 12th. There will also be a silent auction, they’re asking for donations to be dropped off by October 3rd.
The Special Investigations Unit has taken over the shooting that happened last week; they still haven’t released what led up to Trooper Atkinson being shot in the head and hand, but a suspect is in custody.
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