Brave SWAT Officer Returns to Duty After Near-Fatal Shooting
San Antonio is buzzing with inspiration after one of its own, SWAT Officer Rhett Shoquist, bravely returned to duty just over a year after suffering a life-threatening injury during a police pursuit. Officer Shoquist, a dedicated member of the San Antonio Police Department with nearly seven years of experience, is sharing his incredible story of resilience and motivation that led him back into his uniform.
A Military Background with a Purpose
In a heartfelt interview, Shoquist opened up about his decision to join the police force. Coming from a military background, having served five years in the Marines, the pull to protect and serve his community was strong. “I liked certain aspects of that,” he explained, “but I wanted to move back home. I am someone who can’t sit still and need to move around and do stuff.” It’s clear that this commitment runs deep in his family, as his father spent over 30 years in the police force. “It was something I wanted to try to be a part of,” he added.
With a sense of duty, Shoquist believes in the importance of protecting those who cannot protect themselves. “Someone needs to help, and I know I am capable of doing that, and not everyone can. So why not me, you know?” This strong belief became evident during an operation on August 24, 2023, that changed his life forever.
A Day That Changed Everything
During this operation, Shoquist and his team were tracking down a suspect, Jesse Garcia, wanted on multiple warrants. As they pursued Garcia, things quickly escalated. “I was driving the primary car following the suspect vehicle, and the bullet went through the windshield and struck me in the face,” he recalled. “He was shooting about four or five rounds at a time.” Despite the chaos, Shoquist remained composed, thinking logically even as he was struck.
Upon being hit, his first concern was not the injury itself but his family. “I started thinking about my wife and kids,” he shared. Miraculously, thanks to wearing his sunglasses, the bullet’s path was altered, reducing the damage. However, the impact was devastating; Shoquist immediately knew he had lost his eye but found comfort in the fact it was “just my eye and my cheek.”
Facing Surgery and Recovery
After a grueling eight-hour surgery, it became evident that Shoquist would not regain sight in his injured eye. His recovery involved another surgery, which resulted in the removal of the eye to alleviate pain. He now has a titanium plate in his cheekbone, along with shrapnel lodged in various parts of his body.
But rather than wallow in what he had lost, Shoquist turned his focus to getting back on the job. “I started asking what did I need to do to get back. I was making up drills to work on my peripheral vision,” he explained. With tenacity, Officer Shoquist dedicated two months to recover and navigate his new reality, fueled by the support of his family and SWAT team.
A Special Bond with Family
One particularly heartwarming moment came when he returned home from the hospital and had a funny exchange with his young son. With an eyepatch on, his son innocently asked what had happened, leading to a candid conversation about his injury. “I said, ‘Daddy got shot,’ and he was like, ‘Oh ok … well, did you shoot him back?’” The light-hearted nature of this dialogue helped bring a sense of normalcy back into family life.
A Shared Determination
“I wouldn’t be here doing the things I am doing if it was not for her,” he said, referring to his steadfast wife. The bond they share and the support from his children have played significant roles in his recovery journey. Garcia, the man who shot Shoquist, remains in jail facing serious charges, but Officer Shoquist has no desire to dwell on him. “I hope he stays there,” he said resolutely.
Officer Rhett Shoquist’s story is one of bravery, resilience, and the power of community and family. His return to the force serves as a beacon of hope and motivation for many. San Antonio is proud to call him one of its own, and his story is a testament to the mantra that even in the face of adversity, the human spirit can triumph.
