TAMPA, Fla. — Two Hillsborough County deputies who were seriously hurt in an ambush on Nov. 9 in Brandon shared their thanks for the community's support throughout their recovery.
In a video posted to Facebook, Corporal Carlos Brito and Deputy Manny Santos expressed their gratitude for the people who supported them and their families during the last three weeks.
"All things considered, I am thankful that I'm alive, that I have my wife and I'm still going to be here to care for my three daughters that I have," Brito said in the video from a hospital bed. "They're at home waiting for me."
Brito is still recovering in the hospital where he will have another surgery this week on his leg. The sheriff's office said he is staying hopeful.
Santos, who was released from the hospital days after the incident, says he's thankful for his immediate family and also his family at the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.
"I'm beyond grateful for the community...," Santos said. "And I'm just grateful that I'm here today."
Santos and Brito found themselves targeted by 28-year-old Ralph Bouzy who is accused of using his car to ram into them. He's now facing multiple counts of attempted murder of a law enforcement officer.
On Nov. 9, both Brito and Santos responded to a 911 call from Bouzy's mother. She said her son, who lives with her, was acting "irrational and violent," and she was in fear for her life.
Brito and Santos tried to make contact with Bouzy, who was sitting in his car in the Heather Lakes area home's driveway. After refusing to interact with deputies, Bouzy drove off.
He would soon return, however. This time, he was speeding back, according to the sheriff's office. Seconds after narrowly missing two other deputies, Chronister said Bouzy intentionally aimed his car toward Brito and Santos, ultimately hitting them and pushing them between his car and one of the deputy's marked SUVs.
Bouzy was tased and arrested by the other two deputies.
10 Tampa Bay's previous coverage contributed to this report.