ATLANTA — Fathers across the country are getting to celebrate with their children this Father’s Day, but for one dad in an Atlanta rehabilitation facility, it was extra special.
Sergeant Rob Holloway was shot in the head during a chase through Carroll County in April. After some time at Grady Memorial Hospital, the Carrollton police officer was transferred to the Shepherd Center’s Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program where he has been for almost two months.
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Since the shooting, Holloway has missed his son Grady’s prom, honors night, baccalaureate, his 18th birthday and high school graduation.
Spokespeople with the Shepherd Center says that as far as Holloway remembers, he has not been in the same room as his son since the shooting because of COVID-19 restrictions.
Holloway’s case manager teamed up with his wife to change that, though. They set up a surprise graduation ceremony in one of the conference rooms inside the Shepherd Center.
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Holloway’s wife says his nurse walked him downstairs and when they opened the doors, the first thing he saw was Grady dressed in full graduation regalia, including his gown, honors medallion, honors cords, dual enrollment cords, National Honor Society stole and cap.
“It was a very emotional time for us all. They are very close and Robbie is a wonderful father, so in addition to just recovering from the gunshot wound, missing all of these important milestones for Grady has been very difficult on all of us. Rob was able to stand from his wheelchair, and they embraced in the first good hug since Rob has been hurt. We were all crying happy tears,” said Stephanie Holloway.
Holloway will continue his recovery process. Grady is planning to attend the University of North Georgia in the Fall.
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