Injured police officer: 'I'm not quitting'

A Christmas Day visit for Jeremy Snow in Middlemore Hospital from his sister, Elizabeth Donohue, and niece and nephew Braiedyn Donohue, 4, and Ariana Donohue, 8. Photo / Supplied

Injured police officer Jeremy Snow is itching to get out of his hospital bed and back to his police work.

The 28-year-old spoke of his love of his job yesterday from his room at Middlemore Hospital, which was yesterday jammed with family members who decorated the space with a small Christmas tree and tinsel.

"I just want to get back out on the job. Keeping the community safe, that's what I'm about."

The probationary officer was shot three times - once in each leg and once in his left elbow - when he and partner Constable Robert Cato went on to a property in Papatoetoe about 4.10am on Tuesday.

Another bullet struck his chest, but bounced off his anti-stabbing vest and police notebook.

Mr Snow has had two operations on his legs, and is to have another next week.

He may also have to have a bone graft in his left leg.

Mr Snow told the Herald he was able to use his right arm for only a short while, and he could not yet move the rest of his body.

He is having physiotherapy on his legs and has to be turned regularly, which causes considerable pain.

But he is in good spirits.

For Christmas lunch, he had grapes and cherries from fruit baskets sent to him by well-wishers.

He then opened the presents his family showered him with - mostly hot rod magazines, homage to his red and black 1969 Chrysler Valiant coupe, in the garage at home.

Mr Snow said he was overwhelmed by the support he'd received from the public.

"I want to say thanks to everyone who's prayed for me, who don't even know me, who've wished for a speedy recovery.

"I've had people who don't know me at all who've sent me get well cards."

One of the first people he wanted to see when he woke up in the intensive care unit was Mr Cato, who had visited him a couple of times in hospital.

"I'm so thankful he wasn't hurt, he has a family, he has kids."

Mr Snow's mother, Colleen Snow, said at the hospital she couldn't thank the police enough for saving her son after he was shot.

"The first thing Jeremy said to me when he got out of the ICU was 'Mum, I'm not quitting'. I said 'I know you're not'."

A 28-year-old man has been charged with the attempted murder of Mr Snow. Police are yet to decide whether Darren Court, who witnessed the shooting, will face charges. They found the 43-year-old on Thursday at a West Auckland address, and arrested him on a warrant for failing to appear in court.