> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.sandystandard.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Imjured Officer Thankful For Community Support - URL: https://www.sandystandard.com/imjured-officer-thankful-for-community-support/ - Published: 2026-09-01T15:00:27.000Z - Updated: 2026-09-01T15:00:26.000Z - Author: The Sandy Standard *By Daniel Crawford, Sandy Standard* Sergeant Garrett Thornton is in good spirits as he recovers from the four bullet wounds he sustained while responding to a domestic disturbance call that went horribly wrong at an Evans Street residence back on May 31\. Three people lost their lives that day. 70-year-old Mary Beth Overson, 37-year-old Jenna Mary Overson and 16-year-old neighbor Kobyn McClure.38-year-old Bryan Andrew Moore has since been arraigned for charges related to this shooting. There were two other persons in the house at the time of the incident. Moore’s own three-year-old son and Jenna’s 20-year-old son from a previous marriage, who both survived. “Domestic disturbance calls are not a favorite call by any means because of their unpredictable nature,” said Thornton. Thornton remembers the dispatch call involved a three-year-old child, which made the call more personal to him because of his own young children near the same age. As he and other officers approached the door, a hail of gunfire rang out and Thornton was hit four times — once in the right femur, once in his left hand and twice in his right arm. Other officers were able to get Thornton out of harm’s way and onto a Life Flight helicopter; he was then taken to OHSU (Oregon Health & Science University) for evaluation. The next day Thornton underwent surgery on his broken femur bone. A rod has been placed into the femur bone supported by screws. On the same day another surgery was performed on his left hand to repair multiple fractures. His right arm was cleaned without any surgical repair. About six weeks later he did suffer a minor set back on his left hand when a support screw had moved a little. It has since been repaired putting him back on track for a full recovery. As of now there are no more surgeries scheduled. There is no set timetable for recovery but Thornton knows the journey to healing will be arduous. Thornton is seeing doctors for physical therapy and occupational therapy about three times per week. “I am getting more and more range of motion from my left hand,” Thornton explained “A couple of my fingers are stiff from the surgery, so I am working on my hand out in occupational therapy. My right arm is getting better. I had some radial nerve damage and I still need help just doing daily stuff like dressing and putting my shoes on, that sort of thing. I am using a walker and climbing the stairs in my home to work out my right leg.” Thornton is home surrounded by his wife and two children. His parents and his wife’s parents all live locally and visit often. Another Sandy police officer, and good friend, Hala Ling was assigned the duty of being Thornton’s family liaison. “My wife, my dad and Officer Ling were there at the OHSU hospital everyday and it helped so much,” Thornton said.“Those three were nearby at all times when I was at OHSU and that was good for me.” Thornton receives constant visits from Sandy police officers who drop by his home to deliver cards and letters addressed in his name. Some of his neighbors know he is a police officer and others do not. The ones that do not know have expressed concerns about the presence of police cars at his home. “I have had neighbors ask me if things are okay. People get a little curious when they see a patrol car in front of my house so often,” laughed Thornton. Community support has poured in for Thornton, with local Sandy residents as well as people from around the country sending get well cards. The national support has been a nice surprise to Thornton. He has received cards from Arkansas, Arizona and North Dakota to name a few. One well-wisher embroidered a custom card with Thornton’s name on it. “I am not much of a sentimental person,” Thornton explained. “I don’t keep a memory box or anything like that. birthday cards, I get it, read it and then it goes in the garbage. But it has been amazing that so many people, that I have never met and likely will never meet, are sending cards and letters saying they are praying for me. My wife and I read these cards and we have decided to keep the cards.” Thornton’s brother has started a GoFundMe account for those who wish to contribute. Those interested in contributing can find the campaign online at [gofundme.com/f/standing-with-officer-garrett-and-his-family](http://gofundme.com/f/standing-with-officer-garrett-and-his-family?ref=sandystandard.com). Thornton is an 11-year veteran of the Sandy Police Department. He made the rank of sergeant in 2022\. Thornton plans to return to the Sandy PD as soon as he is able. “I am very thankful for all of the cards and prayers,” said Thornton. “It has meant a lot to me and my family.”