LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- One year after being released from rehab, Louisville Metro Police Officer Nick Wilt is making progress.
His family shared an update on LMPD's social media.
"Nick is doing well and, most importantly, still loving life. He's happy, constantly joking, smiling, and laughing with us," they wrote. "His drive to rejoin the world is unstoppable and inspiring, to say the least."
The post said, over the past year, the family has worked with in-home therapists from UofL Health - Frazier Rehabilitation Institute.
"Nick is walking, talking, eating well, and moving around," they said. "He still uses a cane for stability but can do well without it. His left arm hasn't fully regained function or much movement, so that's still an area of work. Thankfully, there have been no major complications except for a couple of seizures a month, which we are working to control."
Therapists tell the Wilt family that when seizures begin late in the healing process, they will likely be with Nick for the rest of his life.
As many know, Wilt was one of the first to respond to the mass shooting at Old National Bank on April 10, 2023. It was his fourth day on the job, but there was no hesitation as he ran toward an active shooter. Wilt was shot in the head and has had a long recovery.
Wilt also had a service dog donated to him.
"The dog, Luke, will assist Nick in everyday life," his family said. "This will also give Nick something to look after and give him more responsibility daily. Luke is still in training but visited Nick last week, and they immediately connected. Our ultimate goal for Nick is independence. For example, he wants to move to his very own house and live his own life independently. He is well on his way but will still need time to heal."
Wilt's family also said he does enjoy what they called "daily adventures."
"Nick enjoys getting out of the house when he feels up for it and riding in a car for fresh air and a change of scenery," they said. "His daily schedule is simple, and thanks to our fantastic caregiver, he's playing games most of the day, whether on his phone or board and card games. These are more important than most people think for someone recovering from his type of injury. He’s beaten us at Uno and Yahtzee more times than we care to admit.
"Overall, Nick is doing great and feels your daily love and support. Keep the love and prayers coming. We share the beautiful comments with Nick every time we see them."
Old National Bank Shooting Coverage:
- Old National Bank Mass Shooting — Remembering the lives lost and those forever changed
- LMPD Officer Nick Wilt visits WDRB newsroom, does weather with Marc Weinberg as he continues recovery
- Old National Bank Foundation donates more than $1M, looking for 'right response' to mass shooting
- New long rifle program helps make sure Louisville police officers aren’t outgunned, LMPD says
- Louisville officers running toward Old National Bank shooter 'didn't flinch,' police chief says
- Louisville's mayor pleads for change, remains hopeful 1 year removed from mass shooting
- Survivor of Old National Bank mass shooting attempts to move forward, battling the memories 1 year later
- Head of police foundation has bonded with Wilt family through tragedies
- Kentucky governor recalls 'evil' of Old National Bank mass shooting, a tragic day that hit home
- Training paid off for first responders in Old National Bank shooting, emergency services director says
- A year after his life changed forever, Louisville police Officer Nick Wilt already making 'major progress'
- 1 year after the Old National Bank shooting took her husband, Louisville woman cherishes the life they built
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