In the months that Bowling Green Police Officer Matt Davis recovered from being shot while on duty, he often turned to his family, especially his three sons, to keep his motivation to face the future.

“There were a lot of days I didn’t want to get out of bed, but I knew I have three kids and we have to live for others,” Davis said Monday during a ceremony with U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Bowling Green, commending the officer’s actions during the July 6, 2023, incident at America’s Car Mart.

Responding to a disturbance on that date, Davis encountered Esteban Lowery at the business, and Lowery pulled out a gun and shot Davis multiple times as Davis retreated down a hallway warning others in the business that Lowery was armed.

Davis was able to deploy a stun gun against Lowery moments before he was shot, and a civilian who accompanied Davis as a ride-along subdued Lowery with a choke hold.

Lowery, 41, was pronounced dead at an area hospital, with a medical examiner’s report listing manual strangulation as the cause of death.

A narrative of Davis’ actions was read into the U.S. Senate record, and Paul delivered a copy of that record Monday to Davis at BGPD headquarters.

“I remember reading and hearing about Officer Davis’ injuries and going ‘thank God he survived,’ ” Paul said. “Officer Davis is incredibly strong, both physically, to have overcome this and mentally to go through all this and get back to the police force. I think it shows a great deal of personal fortitude.”

The narrative described Davis alerting people at the business to take cover, and noted that no other people were injured.

“Despite the great risk, Officer Davis put his life on the line and likely saved many lives,” the statement said. “His bravery exemplifies the dedication and sacrifice of those who serve and protect our communities.”

Davis singled out his 10-year-old son Case and his aunt, Tracey Armistead, who were both in the audience Monday, for the support they offered as the officer recovered from what were life-threatening injuries.

While not currently working patrol, Davis is back on the job working desk duty.

In addition to thanking his family, Davis also expressed gratitude to his colleagues who visited and supported him through his recovery and then took time to recognize the employees at America’s Car-Mart who found themselves in the middle of a volatile situation.

“One thing I tell people about the Car Mart, of the awards or any type of positive thing that has ever been said, no employee who simply showed up that day left their job harmed and that’s one thing I’m incredibly proud of,” Davis said. “They suddenly found themselves literally in the middle of a gunfight, and I’m so proud that they’re all home now unharmed.”