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Wildlife Officer Shot On Duty Continues Recovery

Officer Kevin Behr
Officer Kevin Behr

An Ohio Wildlife Investigator continues to recover more than a month after he was shot while on duty.

Officer Kevin Behr was investigating reports of poaching in Clinton County on December 20th, when he was shot and critically injured.

Chris Gilkey, vice president of Ohio Wildlife Officers Lodge 143, says Behr spent several weeks in the ICU. But now, after several surgeries, he’s stable and his condition continues to improve.

“We're happy to say that he's been stepped down from ICU. He actually has his own room now. He's fighting every day in his recovery. He's eating solid foods. It's just as his wife says, it's a miracle. And, you know, day by day, he's getting stronger. He's got a long way to go," he said.

Behr's wife, Kathy, speaking through Gilkey, says she and their three children "are so thankful for the continued support" and that "Kevin will need all the prayers he can get once they move into a rehab facility."

She says because of COVID restrictions, she will not be able to have contact with her husband, a 25-year veteran, at the rehab facility.

Three men were arrested on weapons and poaching charges after the shooting.

Jerry began volunteering at WYSO in 1991 and hosting Sunday night's Alpha Rhythms in 1992. He joined the YSO staff in 2007 as Morning Edition Host, then All Things Considered. He's hosted Sunday morning's WYSO Weekend since 2008 and produced several radio dramas and specials . In 2009 Jerry received the Best Feature award from Public Radio News Directors Inc., and was named the 2023 winner of the Ohio Associated Press Media Editors Best Anchor/News Host award. His current, heart-felt projects include the occasional series Bulletin Board Diaries, which focuses on local, old-school advertisers and small business owners. He has also returned as the co-host Alpha Rhythms.