A Baton Rouge deputy being treated at Houston’s TIRR is “doing remarkably well,” doctors and therapists said Thursday.
Deputy Nick Tullier was shot three times during a July 17 ambush that left three law enforcement officers dead and three more injured in Baton Rouge. The gunman, Gavin Long, was shot and killed by another officer.
Tullier was moved to TIRR Memorial Hermann about a month ago. His father said they chose TIRR because it’s “the place where miracles happen.”
“Heroes and doctors in Baton Rouge saved Nick's life that day, but thanks to TIRR in Houston because they are aggressively working to give nick his life back,” James Tullier said. ”Nick's got a real long way to go, we know that. We understand that. Nick's a fighter.”
Doctors say Tullier was shot in the brain and his heart stopped. He is now conscious and can see and hear, but isn’t able to speak yet. He can communicate, but his mind and body aren’t on the same page, according to doctors.
“Nick understands language. Nick knows who he is. Nick knows where he is,” said Katherine O’Brien, clinical neuropsychologist at TIRR Memorial Hermann. “Our therapists ask him all the time, ‘Nick, do you want to continue? Yes. Do you want a break? No.’ Even when he’s in pain, Nick is saying, yes I want to keep going.”
Baton Rouge doctors originally told the family that Tullier wouldn’t live past 24 hours. They believe his survival is a miracle.
The deputy’s father created a Facebook page called “Nick Tullier Strong” to update followers on his progress. For more information, click here: https://www.facebook.com/NickTullierStrong/
