Created: 11/17/2009 5:45:37 AM 
Winston-Salem, NC -- The officer who survived that deadly shootout near a Bojangles in Winston-Salem spoke publicly for the first time this morning.
Officer Daniel Clark survived the shooting despite being shot in the torso and the neck. Sergeant Mickey Hutchens died from his gunshot wounds five days later.
Clark began by thanking God and the community for coming together during his recovery. He also thanks his police family and his wife.
VIDEO: Watch the full press conference
He acknowledged Sgt. Hutchens by saying "I wouldn't be here today without his sacrifice." He added, "I wish he could stand here with me today, but God has called him home."
Clark says he had surgery on Friday to remove the bullet from his neck and hopes to be back to work in the next week or two.
"I'm not sure how my emotions will be when I come back but I do know that I do want to come back. I don't want to quit and this will be a hurdle for me, but I'm going to get past it," he shared.
On October 7th, the officers responded to a burglar alarm at the Peter's Creek Parkway Bojangles that turned out to be a domestic situation.
Witnesses say the suspect, Monte Evans, went to the restaurant to confront his ex-wife who worked there.
The officers chased Evans to a nearby creek where police say Evans shot the two officers before Clark shot and killed Evans.
Clark says he's received a lot of support from the community but says he was just doing his job that day.
"I don't consider myself a hero. I consider myself just doing what I was sworn to do and that is protect the citizens," he concluded.
Another press conference is scheduled in the next few weeks to release more details about the case.
WFMY News 2
