A blood drive was held Friday at the Oceanside police station in honor of a police officer who was struck by a driver, in a case that may have been intentional.
Despite enduring physical pain and a long road to recovery, Officer Brad Hunter has kept the people he serves as his priority.
"I'm a lucky guy. That is what I focus on. I'm focusing on all the positive that has come to me," said Hunter, who has no memory of the collision but remembers waking up in the ICU very confused and unable to breathe.
Martin Morabe, the president of the Oceanside Police Officer's Association, said he was also struck by a driver while patrolling on his police motorcycle once. He has experienced Hunter's selflessness.
"This is their way of giving back," said Morabe. "They said hey, maybe we can put a blood drive together because this time of year [the] blood supply may be very short."
The blood drive and Safety Community Fair collected blood donations to support Hunter, a 29-year veteran of the Oceanside Police Department. He suffered a severe head injury and a shattered leg when he was struck by a car.
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Appointments were fully booked for the blood drive. Police officers interacted with the community while showing off some of the department's tools and resources.
NBC 7 spoke with Hunter's daughter, Tiffany Hunter, who is amazed by all the support they've received. She says her father has taken the challenge of his injuries head on.
"It's obviously a very tragic thing that has happened," said Tiffany. "But he is doing very well and he is staying very strong. This whole thing is just to put a positive light on a not so positive thing that happened."
When news spread of Hunter's story, the public responded with an outpouring of support with cards, flowers, GoFundMe pages and more.
"All across the country and even internationally," said Tiffany. "We have people in the UK who are donating blood on his behalf today. So that's amazing."
The driver, Roberto Ignacio Flores, 26 of San Marcos has pleaded not guilty to first-degree attempted murder of a police officer. A judge decided there is enough evidence to take Flores to trial Thursday.
Various centers across San Diego County will continue to accept blood donations on behalf of Officer Hunter throughout July, with the code OCPD.
