“Keep on praying:” Officer injured in chase, shootout on I-20 at home recovering

ATLANTA — A Villa Ricca police officer who was shot alongside two other officers during a wild police chase and shootout is talking to Channel 2 Action News for the first time.

[READ: Dash camera video released of Carroll County chase suspect firing AK-47 at deputies]

Channel 2′s Michael Seiden talked to officer Chase Gordy, who is out of the hospital and recovering at home.

Gordy, Carrollton officer Rob Holloway and Carroll County Deputy Jay Repetto are recovering after a traffic stop turned into a shootout on I-20 in Carroll County on April 12.

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Gordy was shot three times: once in the calf, once in the shoulder and once in the stomach.

Gordy, who is 24 and was just sworn in last summer, told Seiden he’s never been in a situation like what unfolded early that morning.

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“I didn’t even have to think. My body did everything for me and with there being no cover around, I think everything I did was the best I could do,” Gordy said.

Gordy isn’t allowed to talk about the specifics of what happened because of the ongoing investigation, but he told Seiden he was finishing up his overnight shift with only an hour left until he got home, when all of a sudden things got intense.

[READ: 3 officers recovering following chase, shooting in Carroll County; 1 suspect killed, 1 arrested]

Carroll County Sheriff Terry Langley said the incident began as a traffic stop on Interstate 20 in Carroll County by the Georgia State Patrol. Authorities said the suspects were driving more than 100 mph.

When a trooper approached the car, the driver sped off, traveling onto Highway 61. At one point, a GSP trooper attempted a PIT maneuver, but the driver regained control of the car and continued driving.

During the chase, the passenger used a rifle to fire at officers as it went through Carroll County and Villa Rica, authorities said.

Aaron Shelton, 22, of Alabama, was taken into custody. His cousin, 28-year-old Pier Shelton, was killed during the shootout.

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Gordy credits his ballistic vest for saving his life when he was shot in the stomach.

“Our department recently got these high-end ballistic vests,” Gordy said. “The ballistic vest I was wearing actually blocked that, so the only injury to come out of that was a broken rib.”

Gordy said another bullet fractured his left scapula, or shoulder bone.

“I can’t really put too much weight on my left arm,” Gordy said. “It doesn’t move. I can’t put weight on it.”

Gordy said he is thinking about the other officers who were hurt.

“Most of the things I’m asking for right now are prayers,” Gordy said. “Not just for me but the other two officers, physically and mentally.”

Channel 2 Action News has been staying in close contact with family and friends of the other victims.

Repetto was shot in the arm and continues to recover at home.

Carrollton Police sergeant Rob Holloway remains in the ICU after getting hit by gunfire and crashing into a utility pole

Corporal Jamison Troutt of the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office wasn’t hit by gunfire but sustained other injuries during the chase.

“People are showing so much support in the community,” Gordy said. “I probably get 100 messages a day and I try my best to just show my gratitude. I just tell them to keep on praying. We still have a long road ahead of us.”

[READ: Carroll County chase, shootout suspect appears in court]

Gordy said his doctors expect him to make a full recovery, and he already knows what he’s going to do when they give him the all-clear.

“I was in the hospital and the first thing I said was, ‘I want to get back out there,’” Gordy said.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help with Gordy’s recovery expenses.

Dash camera video released of Carroll County chase suspect firing AK-47 at deputies Cousins Aaron Shelton, 22, and Pier Shelton, 28, are accused of leading sheriff deputies and other officers on a high-speed chase before engaging in a shootout.