A Salina police officer who lost an eye last year in a shooting thought his career was over before he learned of many others in his profession who suffered similar wounds but were able to eventually get back to work.

The Salina Journal reports Chuck Huen was hurt in a Sept. 27 confrontation with a 19-year-old man who barricaded himself in a basement and fired several shots at officers. A bullet traveled through walls and a door and pierced Huen’s eye socket before exiting near his ear.

Salina’s city physician recommended Huen get disability and be restricted from driving and carrying a gun, but Huen persuaded city officials to let him prove he could still do the job.

He passed all the tests and resumed full-time duty April 20.