HOUSTON – The wife of injured Houston police officer Ronny Cortez spoke with KPRC2 as her husband remains in the hospital after being shot earlier this week.
[WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE]
Sheri Cortez said Ronny, who was one of two officers shot Tuesday during a burglary investigation in southwest Houston, continues to recover in the hospital.
"He's doing OK. I don't know what OK is. He's alive," Sheri Cortez said. "This is all out of my hands. I have no say here. This is all in God's hands and we just go with it and do the best we can."
Cortez, a 24-year veteran of the Houston Police Department, was shot several times in the stomach and back. He was taken to Memorial Hermann Hospital, where he was listed in critical condition with a bullet lodged near his spine. Cortez can move his upper extremities, according to Houston police chief Art Acevedo.
Cortez's condition was upgraded Friday to fair condition at the hospital.
She praised the entire brotherhood of the Houston Police Department.
"These officers have been taking care of me since the moment the shots rang out. They have been there, just letting me know they're there and that they're always going to be there for me," she said. "It's incredible. There's nothing that these officers could do wrong in my eyes."
VIDEO: Sheri Cortez speaks out
She said she is grateful for the support from the community as well.
"We have been flooded with well-wishes. I don't think I'd be able to make it through without the support," she said. "Please keep the prayers coming. We are not out of the woods."
She said Ronny Cortez is a protector and that he wasn't supposed to be at the scene of the burglary investigation.
"He came to make sure everything was OK, to make sure the neighborhood was OK," she said. "That's the hard part; that he came and wasn't dispatched to it. And that's really what Ronny's always been about. He just wants to take care of everybody."
The Cortez family also released a statement Thursday evening that read, "We would like to thank all of our friends, family and neighbors for the great network of support and good wishes. Ronny has been receiving the best care possible at Memorial Hermann Red Duke Trauma Institute since he arrived on Tuesday afternoon. Ronny is a protector and has always been there to help those in need. Right now we are making sure he gets the best care possible since he is the one in need. The Houston Police Department has been absolutely golden during this process and has been here for our family the entire time. In our eyes, these officers can do no wrong. We ask that everyone continue to send prayers our way as Ronny continues his recovery. We are eternally grateful for your love and support."
Officer Jose Munoz, a 10-year veteran of the department who was shot in the foot and leg, was released from the hospital on Wednesday.
One of the two burglary suspects, who police said broke into several homes on the day of the shooting, is dead and the other is on the run.
Earl Riley, 25, was shot and killed by a police sergeant after exchanging gunfire with the officers. Riley, who police said is a known gang member, has an arrest history that dates back to 2009 on charges including evading arrest, burglary, trespass, drug violations and weapons violations.
Acevedo said authorities are still searching for the second man, who is believed to have been with Riley. He said Wednesday that the second man does not appear to have been involved in the shootout.
A $20,000 reward is being offered for information about the second man.
Anyone with information about the case should call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-8477.