On August 1, two off-duty deputies from the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, Lucas and Nicole Shoffner, were involved in a tragic accident while repairing a dirt bike on the roadside. The couple was struck by a vehicle driven by Raymond Surber, a deputy from the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office. In the aftermath, the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office took to Facebook, asking for prayers for their injured colleagues.

Lucas Shoffner, in a selfless act, heroically saved his wife Nicole by pushing her out of harm’s way, but he sustained severe injuries. Matt Fagiana, a former Loudon County sergeant, described Lucas as “kind, loyal, funny, and resilient,” offering words of encouragement: “You got this, Lucas. We are behind you and Nicole every step of the way.”

Lucas was admitted to the Transplant Intensive Care Unit at UT Medical Center with serious head injuries and placed in a medically induced coma. His former colleagues at the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office expressed their unwavering support, saying, “Lucas, everyone at LCSO is pulling for you!”

In an inspiring turn of events, Nicole recently shared an uplifting update on Instagram: after 40 days in intensive care, Lucas is now starting his journey toward recovery. “Today we start our chapter of healing,” she wrote.

This story is a powerful reminder of the sacrifices law enforcement officers make and their remarkable resilience in the face of adversity.