Deputy Jon Samuelson’s inspiring recovery continues after May hospital shooting

WESTVILLE, Ind. (WISH) — A La Porte County deputy who was shot in the line of duty in May remains at an intensive inpatient rehabilitation center, where he continues to undergo several hours of therapy five to six days each week, the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post on Sunday.

On May 22, Deputy Jon Samuelson was shot by a man during an altercation at a hospital after helping the man with what Samuelson thought was a disabled vehicle.

Around 6:45 a.m., Samuelson stopped to assist 22-year-old Sharod Grafton Jr. of Chicago with his vehicle on State Road 2 and County Road 900 West, which is about a mile east of Westville. The deputy took Grafton Jr. to the hospital at his request.

At the hospital, Samuelson learned Grafton may have been involved in an earlier incident, according to police. Samuelson returned inside the hospital, where an altercation happened in the emergency room between Grafton and the deputy.

Police say Grafton shot the deputy during the altercation and then ran into the woods by the hospital. Officers quickly located him in the woods and took him into custody.