ATLANTA Ga. -  Injured Covington Police Department Officer Matthew Cooper, 34, of Covington, is making slow, but steady progress in Shepherd Center’s Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program, according to his family and physician.

Officer Cooper sustained a brain injury when he was injured by a gunshot wound to the head in the course of doing his job on Sept. 3.

He is participating in physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy daily. His rehabilitation treatment team does not yet know how long he will be hospitalized at Shepherd Center, they said.

Rehabilitation treatment teams at Shepherd Center typically include the following:  an attending physician, nurse, occupational therapist, physical therapist, speech language pathologist, recreation therapist, case manager, peer support specialist, dietitian and psychologist. 

Shepherd Center specializes in medical treatment, research and rehabilitation for people with spinal cord injury, brain injury and stroke. Founded in 1975, Shepherd Center is a private, not-for-profit hospital and is ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the top 10 rehabilitation hospitals in the nation.

The family continues to be very appreciative for the outpouring of support from family, friends and the community, but has requested privacy at this time.