Wounded Santa Fe ISD Officer John Barnes speaks out on his recovery

LEAGUE CITY, Texas (Fox) - After multiple surgeries and several weeks of rehabilitation, the road to full recovery may still be months away for Santa Fe ISD Officer John Barnes. 

In May, a gunman took the lives of eight students and two teachers during a deadly school shooting. Thirteen others were injured, including Barnes. 

Doctors said Barnes sustained a gunshot wound to an artery and bone in his arm and suffered severe blood loss.

His right arm, where he was shot, remains in a sling, and likely will for another several months. Barnes said although he has feeling in his arm and can now move his fingers, he still has ways to go until it's fully functional again. 

But Barnes says each day that passes by, is another day that he's alive; and another day that he gets to spend with his family. Just last Friday, Barnes celebrated his 50th birthday.

"I still feel totally blessed that that's it. You know, it could've been so much worse. I could've had severe brain injury. My kidneys-- I was having problems with them. Those don't function well when there's no blood going through there," Barnes said.

Barnes said he's grateful and humbled by the outpouring of support from friends, former colleagues and even strangers. To this day, he says he's still unsure why people consider him a hero. He said running towards danger is just part of his job as an officer. 

"There's a lot of police officers that have given a lot more than just an arm. And if that's all I have then I'm thankful," Barnes said.

When asked if Barnes would return to law enforcement when he recovers, he said he's not sure if he'll even be able to. In the meantime, Barnes said his focus is to spend time with his wife and two kids.