JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – “I didn’t think I’d get this far.” Those were the sentiments of Officer Malik Daricaud after he stood up and took his first steps out of rehab.
The 26-year-old father, husband, Navy veteran, Florida Air National Guard staff sergeant, and two-year veteran patrolman with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office reached this milestone Thursday morning after recovering at Brooks Rehabilitation since April 2023.
After ringing the bell, Daricaud, who was shot in March 2023 while responding to an investigation at a home on Ridgeview Avenue, sat back down in his wheelchair.
Then with his son by his side, Daricaud did a victory lap and was scored from the rehabilitation center in style.
“Just waking up and just people’s smiles and jokes all the stuff to keep me going. Really means a lot to me and I thank you guys for everything you’ve done,” he said.
A suspect started shooting and one of the bullets hit Daricuad’s flashlight, causing the shrapnel ricocheted into his neck and shoulder.
“I’ve been taking care of spinal cord injury patients for almost 36 years. To have one walk out of a hospital, that’s cool,” Dr. Howard Weiss said.
Weiss and his team have helped Daricaud since he arrived at the facility. He said he doesn’t think Daricaud will need to rely on the wheelchair for everything as he learns to walk better.
Weiss said Daricaud has another year of intensive therapy and there could be a muscle transfer in his future to help with his right arm that was injured.
“We love Malik. We’ve grown to love Malik. He’s apart of our family. Not only are we his therapist but I think we’re his good friends now we’re definitely going to miss him,” Brooks Rehab worker Kameron Stricklin said.
Sheriff T.K. Waters was there to witness Daricaud’s exit from the rehabilitation center.
“I think it’s very important for him to know that his community supports him, his coworkers support him,” Waters said.
Waters said there was still a spot for the officer. He’d make the perfect fit in the crime center, monitoring day-to-day activity.
“For him to stand up and be able to walk, it’s a miracle. It’s amazing it means the world [...] it helps with hope,” Waters said.