SWAT officer gives thanks

With shrapnel still lodged in his wired-shut jaw, LAPD SWAT Officer James Veenstra spoke with difficulty - but purpose - as he thanked Angelenos for their support during a recovery that could take months as he considers his future in law enforcement. Rachel Uranga in the Daily News.

Veenstra, who was wounded during a 10-hour standoff in Winnetka last month that left five people dead, including SWAT Officer Randal Simmons, stood with his wife by his side in one of his first speaking appearances since that tragic day.

Despite his critical wound, the 20-year SWAT veteran said, he never lost consciousness that night.

"You can train and train and train, but sometimes you get the bear and sometimes the bear gets you," he said.