CYPRESS, Texas – A community came together Wednesday to support Precinct 4 Deputy Constable Justin Gay.
Gay was shot seven times while on duty in November.
Dozens joined for a fundraiser to help him and his family on Wednesday.
"The response has been overwhelming. We have folks that have been coming down here from Galveston, Anahuac, --you know the folks here in Texas love their law enforcement -- and this is a sign of that," Constable Mark Herman said.
At the Enchanted Cypress Ballroom, a fundraiser was held for Gay.
"He was shot seven times at point-blank range. He should not be here. He is here. We know that God has a purpose for him.and we know his family is going to go through hardship, so it's very important for us to be a support mechanism," Sgt. Roiton Phillips, Prairie View Police Department, said.
It was all hands on deck as people were cranking out barbecue chopped beef meals to help Gay with his recovery.
Others came to eat.
"We come out to support no matter what agency. Brother, sister goes down we're coming," Bill Waldroop said.
Gay was greeted with love, even by strangers.
PHOTOS: Fundraiser held for Deputy Justin Gay
"They put their lives on the line for us every day. It's incredible what they do for us. and it's the least we can do for them," Waldroop said.
After a 12-hour surgery, metal plates and pins in both his legs, doctors say with therapy Gay should be able to walk.
On Wednesday, he was just grateful.
"Thank you so much. God bless everybody. If I had a million tongues I would say thank you a million times," Gay said.
Gay was especially thankful for the two deputies who came when he was being shot at. Deputy Alvarez and Deputy Washington stopped the shooter and Gay's bleeding.
Deputy Justin Gay has arrived to the fundraiser at Enchanted Cypress Ballroom
Posted by KPRC2 Rose-Ann Aragon on Wednesday, December 6, 2017
"All that is going through our heads is we got to save him," Alvarez said. "When I saw him come through the doors I wanted to cry because he's so resilient."
It's his resiliency that he's using to inspire others.
"Don't take anything in life for granted because the next day is not a promise," Gay said.