The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
OFFICER WELCOMED BACK
The 17-year veteran was shot,wounded May 31
A bottle of nonalcoholic bubbly was passed around a conference room Nov. 8 at the Amherst Police Department as family, friends and fellow officers prepared to give a toast to Patrolman Eugene “JR” Ptacek.
Some of many the people who have stood by and supported Ptacek, 55, after he was shot and injured during a standoff May 31, welcomed him back to the Police Department, 911 N. Lake St., with treats, gifts and heavy acts of love and gratitude.
Ptacek, a 17-year veteran of the Amherst Police Department, was shot and wounded by Martin L. Robinson, 39, at his home, 778 Oliver St. in Sheffield Lake, authorities said.
He was on duty as a member of the Lorain County SWAT team.
Due to his injuries, Ptacek spent nearly two months under hospital care and had undergone several surgeries.
“The public outcry of support for me during this whole entire incident, and after the incident, has just been overwhelming to me.”
— Patrolman Eugene “JR” Ptacek
On July 24, Ptacek was released from the Westlake hospital where he was treated and was greeted by local law enforcement and Amherst residents while traveling back to the Amherst Police Department before going home.
Ptacek said he has been doing physical therapy and trying to work toward a quick recovery so that he could return to the station by next spring.
He said seeing so many people throughout northeast Ohio show support and fellow officers, who helped him and his family during his recovery, has really inspired him want to get back to work.
“The public outcry of support for me during this whole entire incident, and after the incident, has just been overwhelming to me,” Ptacek said. “It’s just unbelievable how the public rallied behind me, and I honestly believe that was one of many things that helped me recover as quickly as a I did. I’m deeply touched by the outcry of public support.”
He said prayer also has been powerful for him and he thanks Jesus Christ because he feels he wouldn’t have been where he was today without him.
During the gathering, he met some of his supporters who helped raise money or rally toward his cause.
Ptacek received a check from the trio of Sheffield Lake youngsters whose goal was to raise $1,500 from a baked goods and lemonade
stand and give the funds to the officer.
The proceeds from the sales from Trista Rowe, 8, Natalie Brown, 7, and Timothy Rowe, 12, actually skyrocketed past their goal and they raised $7,500.
Ptacek received other gifts such as an award from Ohio Narcotics Association Regional Coordinating Officers, also known as NARCO, a miniature cop car replica of Ptacek’s vehicle made by retired Shaker Heights Sgt. Bob Doles, a hand-made Amherst Police Department quilt made specially for Ptacek by fellow employee Keri Celik and shirts made for the Police Department and community in his honor.
“This day is really about JR,” said Amherst police Chief Joseph Kucirek. “We wanted an end of the summer cookout, but it ended up being a (fall) pizza fest.”
Kucirek said he wants people to know that Ptacek is one of the kindest, generous and most giving people he knows.
“He’s been supporting many throughout his career, and now they are supporting him,” the chief said. “That really shows his character and what kind of person he is.”
Ptacek’s mother, MaryJane Ptacek, 81, of Huron, attended the Nov. 8 event.
Mary-Jane Ptacek recalled the fear and sadness she felt when her son was injured, but said the support and help from the Amherst community and others in northeast Ohio really helped her.
Suzanne Woods, 49, Ptacek’s fiance, said his mental attitude is strong and it remained that way with the
community support.
“Every goal that was set for him, he obtained it before it was set,” Woods said. “He’s just super tough. His attitude’s been tough the whole way through.
“He’s got ways to go, but the community, family and friends (left) him very blessed and grateful.”
No stopping
Ptacek said he made his mind after the shooting that he wasn’t taking no for an answer while working on his physical therapy exercises.
“I made up my mind that if you told me to do five, I was going to do 10,” he said. “I wasn’t going to stop until it hurt.
“I continued that mentality throughout the rehabilitation and continued with that philosophy, and I really feel that has been instrumental to where I am today. I’ve been involved in law enforcement since 1992 in Norwalk.
“I’ve had a very great and long law enforcement career, and I’m not letting someone pull the plug on me yet. I’ll do it myself.”
Ptacek was injured while authorities were attempting to serve a warrant Robinson.
Robinson has not been charged in the shooting as he is awaiting trial in two cases out of Cuyahoga County on weapons violations.
The cases have hit a bit of a snag as Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Judge Shirley Strickland Saffold ordered psychological evaluations at Robinson’s request in both cases, according to court records.