Injured correctional officer talks faith and recovery

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Juanita Davila is one of two Fresno County correctional officers who was shot at the jail earlier this month. It's been nearly three weeks since she was shot in the face while working at the Fresno County Jail and only one week since she was released from the hospital.

Her mouth is wired shut but she didn't let it stop her from speaking.

"First and foremost, I want to thank my God," she said. "Without him, I wouldn't be here today."

Her faith Is what brought her to Saint John's Cathedral in Downtown Fresno. The church held a "Blue Mass" on Friday to honor law enforcement and officer Davila sat in the front row.

"Believe me, prayer is very powerful," Bishop Armando Ochoa said. "We must all have faith and love each other."

Ochoa led the mass and was pleasantly surprised to see Davila. He greeted her, gave her a blessing and prayed with her.

"What a beautiful woman of faith and that's what draws us all together to give thanksgiving for the gift of life and the gift that we can give to one another," the bishop said.

Officer Davila still has a long road to recovery. She said her mouth will be wired shut for another four weeks and she will have to go through another series of surgeries.

"I've been through a lot but every day," Davila said. "I'm blessed to wake up and to just keep fighting to get better."

She said her thoughts are with her co-worker Malama Scanlan who was also shot at the jail. He's still in the hospital in critical condition."

"I just keep asking everyone to keep praying for my brother Scanlan in the hospital," Davila said. "He's making great progress and I believe that one day, he's going to come home."

As for the man accused of shooting them, Thong Vang, he pled not guilty to attempted murder and Davila said she isn't holding on to any hate for him.

"I just want us to love each other," she said. "I don't want for people to have animosity or hate. That's not what God wants us to do."