Injured correctional officer undergoes major surgeries at Fresno hospital

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Nearly two months after a parolee walked into the Fresno County jail and opened fire, one of the correctional officers remains in intensive care.

Officer Juanita Davila was shot in the face and she is recovering at home. But Toamalama Scanlan remains in critical condition at Community Regional Medical Center. In the past few days, he underwent two major surgeries as he continues to heal.

In the intensive care unit at CRMC, Scanlan is once again responsive. His oldest son, Robert, is making sure he carries on conversations with his dad, just like he did before he nearly lost his life.

"I talk to him about personal things, like, 'I have a friend, I want you to meet her,' stuff like that," he said. "I show him a picture. I was like, 'Nod if you think she's pretty,' sometimes he won't nod. So, he's there. He's there with me. I always massage his feet because that's something we did when we were kids because he always worked long shifts."

Scanlan underwent a major procedure to repair his skull and close the flap on his head. He also endured stomach surgery to help with digestive problems. He is able to stick his tongue out and his vital signs remain steady but fevers continue to be a concern along with threats of infection.

Recovery will still be long and his prognosis is still unclear, but his family continues to remain faithful and each night they gather to pray at his bedside. Those closest to him aren't the only ones still asking how he's doing. Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims is reminded constantly that many of Scanlan's biggest supporters are locked up.

"The inmates respected him," she said. "They knew that he could take care of business, but he didn't have to. It's just because of the way he related to the inmates and, as a result, the inmates actually wrote get well notes. They wanted to donate money."

Robert said that among his father's most noble traits is the way he treated each person he met, on duty and off.

"My father's always been one to respect everyone," he said. "And give everyone love so I know that's why the community has really rallied around him because he's always been like that. He's always tried to show our Polynesian love to everyone."

Scanlan was set to be transferred to a rehab center in Santa Clara before the latest surgeries. That move has been postponed at this point.