Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey updated the public Monday on the condition of Agent Casey Smith, who remains in "critical, but stable condition" after being shot Thursday night during a prostitution investigation.
Ivey said Smith has shown positive signs as he continues to recover. Monday morning, Smith was able to recognize voices and nod his head, acknowledging he knows he is in the hospital after being shot.
But Smith isn't out of the woods yet, Ivey stressed.
"It is very humbling to see this kind of support for our agency from the community," Ivey said Monday afternoon, thanking the community for its outpouring of support for the wounded deputy and his family.
A series of weekend blood drives in Smith's name brought more than 400 pints of blood, Ivey said. The sheriff also said his office has received calls, emails and prayers in support of Smith, whose wife expressed her thanks to him.
"For the unbelievable and overwhelming response from people trying to help Casey, she is very appreciative of it," Ivey said.
An additional blood drive has been scheduled for Tuesday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the Orange County Sheriff's Office. See full details below ▼
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Smith was shot while responding to a prostitution complaint at a Port St. John home Thursday night. Investigators said Smith and two other deputies tried to arrest Mary Ellyn Derossett, when John Derossett stormed out of the home and opened fire, shooting Smith several times.
Smith returned fire, hitting John Derossett, who was taken to a hospital in stable condition. Smith was critically wounded.
The sheriff said it was unclear if investigators will ever know why shots were fired at the deputies, considering the arrest they were trying to make was for a nonviolent crime.
"There is no crime that makes it OK to shoot at a law enforcement officer," Ivey said. "This could have all been avoided, and Casey could have gone home to his family that night. I don't know if we will ever know the answer to that."
Ivey said Smith was scheduled to undergo another surgery on Tuesday.
John Derossett faces several attempted murder charges on law enforcement officers once he is released from the hospital.
Smith and the other two agents involved in the incident, Peter Stead and Jason Roberts, have been placed on paid administrative leave, a standard policy during law enforcement-involved shootings.
Ivey also said anyone interested in making a monetary donation in the name of Agent Casey Smith to help first responders in need can do so at brevardsheriff.com.