Injured Deputy's Family Finds Strength, Support

Jon Jordan, News 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- As you might expect this is a difficult time for Maj. John Waldenville's family.  Waldenville was shot near Cattlemen's Cafe Friday night.  Family members said the outpouring of support they have received helps them stay strong.  They also said the care he is getting here at the hospital has been top notch.

"I just can't believe this could happen to my husband," Waldenville's wife, Marjorie, said.  "He's really a great guy.  He doesn't deserve this at all."

Waldenville has already had several surgeries to repair damage he suffered from the gun shot wound he suffered. His wife said every surgery so far has gone as planned, however doctors told her that John will lose vision to his right eye.  Despite that, doctors said the gunshot he suffered looked to have caused very little--if any--damage to his brain.

Even with that good news, his son said it has still been a very trying time.

"It's extremely tough.  Very tough for Marjorie and just for our whole family to have to go through this.  It's very hard," Jason Waldenville said.

As a family they have talked about the danger of John's job but they say nothing can prepare you for when your worst fear comes true.

"You talk about it," Marjorie said, "but you pray it never happens.  But you know that it's a part, a possibility, something that can happen with the job.  But for it to happen, it's very difficult."

Majorie also said her husband has worked off duty at Cattlemen's for as long as seven years.  She said he always had concerns working there and, because of that, he was always aware of his surroundings, but the sheriff's department said Waldenville was ambushed and likely never saw a gun.

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