State trooper shot in face receives hero's award

A North Carolina State Highway Patrol trooper shot in the line of duty in February was honored Sunday in Durham.

The Emergency Chaplains recognized trooper Michael Potts and his partner, Jerimy Mathis, with the Hometown Hero Award, which recognizes those who go above and beyond the call of duty to be peacemakers in the community.

Authorities say Potts had stopped Mikel Edward Brady, 24, for a seatbelt violation on U.S. Highway 70 on Feb. 18 when Brady shot him at an "extraordinarily close range" in both of his hands, his right shoulder and the right side of his face.

Potts then sent out a description of Brady and his car on his police radio, triggering a large-scale manhunt that eventually led to Brady's arrest.

Mathis was first to arrive at the scene when Potts was shot.

Brady, 24, faces a charge of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury in connection with the shooting.

In August, he pleaded guilty to a federal firearms charge in connection with the case and is expected to be sentenced Nov. 25.