Deputy Shot Between Eyes, Finishes Job

PORT HURON, Mich. — A sheriff’s deputy who continued to chase two suspected bank robbers until they were caught despite being shot between the eyes is lucky to be alive, his doctor said Tuesday.

But Deputy Ray Gleason didn’t sound worried after his surgery. “You can’t hurt a hard-headed Irishman,” he quipped.

Doctors removed a .38-caliber bullet that apparently was deflected after passing through his patrol car windshield and lodged sideways between Gleason’s eye and the bridge of his nose without hurting his skull. He was listed in fair and stable condition Tuesday at Port Huron Hospital, spokeswoman Peg Larkin said.

“He was just plain lucky,” said Dr. Nicholas Douvas. “It was a miracle, really. He should be dead.”

Gleason had no loss of eyesight or other impairments from the bullet, Douvas said, adding that he probably can go home soon.

The deputy was shot while chasing two men suspected of robbing a Michigan National Corp. bank branch at 11:22 a.m. Monday, sheriff’s Detective Bruce Lindke said.

“I didn’t know I had been hit. . . . I thought it was just a scratch,” Gleason said. “When I cleared my head, I wiped the blood from my eyes and took off after them again.”