Callaway County deputy Pottorff takes steps toward recovery | Mid-Missouri News | komu.com

KOMU 8 Reporter/Digital Producer

The Callaway County Sheriff's Office on Friday shared the progress of Deputy Gardner Pottorff, one of the deputies involved in Monday morning's shooting on Interstate 70 that left a suspect dead.

"Pottorff took his first steps for physical therapy," the Callaway County Sheriff's Office said in a Facebook post.

The sheriff's office said it is hopeful that Pottorff will be moved out of the ICU by this weekend.

Pottorff pulled over Jonathan Beason Monday morning for speeding on I-70, and corporal Justin Bax arrived to assist, the sheriff's office said.

While Pottorff and Bax were attempting to detain Beason, there was reported exchange of gunfire, according to the sheriff's office. Beason died at the scene, and both deputies were hospitalized with gunshot wounds, the sheriff's office said.

Bax was released from University Hospital on Wednesday. He underwent surgery to his right arm and will do physical therapy for six weeks.

Both deputies still need time to recover, and the sheriff's office said it is putting in extra time and work to fill in for Bax and Pottorff.

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Corporal Justin Bax was hospitalized Monday after a traffic stop on Interstate 70 that reportedly ended with gunfire.

KOMU 8 Reporter/Digital Producer

Currently in Columbia