Coming back to work following a traumatic on-the-job experience can be daunting. But thankfully, Excelsior Springs Police Officer Andrew Stott did not have to face the journey alone. Thanks to his team, local residents, as well as numerous hospital visits, surgeries and physical therapy appointments, he is back protecting the city he loves.

Stott was left with non-life-threatening injuries after a shooting near the intersection of Kearney and Crown Hill roads. The suspect, 65-year-old Carl J. Carrel, was shot by police and died shortly after.

In October 2022, Excelsior Springs Police Department (ESPD) officers had a search warrant for Carrel, who had allegedly assaulted a law enforcement officer at Price Chopper. When Carrel was located, officers managed to box in Carrel’s vehicle with their cruisers. Carrel opened fire on Stott, whose cruiser was parked in front of him, striking his hand and shoulder. The officer behind Carrel opened fire striking the suspect in the back of the head. Both Stott and Carrel were transported to an area hospital.

Ava Donegan was later honored for her bravery and heroism in assisting Stott after he was shot. She received recognition from the Clay County Sheriff’s Department, ESPD and the City of Excelsior Springs at the Clay County Sheriff’s Office Citizens Academy Graduation and Recognition Ceremony last year.

Stott is back in action after working in dispatch from mid-Janury to June. Although he prefers not to sit at a desk, he said he is grateful for what he learned at dispatch.

“It feels great to be back – it feels like I am right where I am supposed to be. I am overall excited,” he said.

Stott did admit along with all nervous.

“I just didn’t know what would happen mentally, especially with everything that happened. It’s all in the back of my mind that it could happen again,” he explained. “I’ve been trying to not be too hyper-vigilant and not overbearing. I am finding somewhere in between.”

Stott shared the reason behind his passion for being a police officer.

“My dad was a police officer for 26 years with the Kansas City Police Department. Seeing him kind of rubbed off on me,” he said. “In my sophomore year of college, I went on a ride-along. We went on three pursuits and that’s when I knew I wanted to do it. I thought to myself, ‘Running code is so fun’ and it was a blast.”

Despite being shot one week after marriage, Stott said he is well and his home projects are coming along. He is back on the road with Excelsior Springs Corporal Payden Thornton.

“I feel protected while riding with Thorton. We didn’t work together often prior. The incident made us closer you could say,” said Stott.

Stott said the Excelsior Springs community has been very welcoming upon his return.

“They are great and have recognized me the last couple of days. They’d come up to me and say ‘Hey, you’re the officer that is back on duty’ and I said ‘Yes, that’s me.’ The community has welcomed me back with open arms,” he concluded.