An El Cajon police officer who was shot during a suicidal man's deadly rampage is retiring from the force and moving away from San Diego.

Officer Jarred Slocum is medically retiring due to the injuries he sustained during the August 2011 shooting, according to an announcement on the El Cajon Police Officers Association's website.

His official retirement date is not known yet.

On August 21, Slocum responded to reports of a house fire with a man inside, possibly opening fire on a child and woman.

He and his partner, Tim McFarland, arrived to the home on the 1000 block of Prince Street in El Cajon to find the suspect, Kevin James Collier, 32, had already shot his 14-month-old daughter, Rhilee, inside his truck and his mother-in-law, Beverli Rakov, 51, inside the home.

Click here to read the heroic narrative from an exclusive interview with McFarland.

Slocum and McFarland had established a perimeter and then Collier shot Slocum, who had two young children and a pregnant wife at the time.



The bullet pierced Slocum’s left temple and came out behind his other ear, cracking his skull and severing arteries.



Collier then burned down the house and shot himself.



Now, nearly one year later, Slocum is still recovering but hopes to attend college in Northern California. The 28-year-old plans to move north with his wife, two sons and newborn daughter.



“I know he’s been working hard to try and get healthy. Talking with Jarred, ultimately, he’s not going to be able to overcome the injuries he sustained from the gunfire,” said Bryan Zmijewski, President of the El Cajon POA.

“I believe if it was up to him and if everything was going good and everything came back to normal, he’d probably be with us. I think everyone wanted Jarred to come back; he’s a good young man. He’s smart and he’s dedicated,” added Zmijewski.

The El Cajon POA is holding a benefit August 10 to raise money for Slocum and his family's move. It will be held in the El Cajon Elks Lodge 1812 from 6 to 9 p.m.



Donations can be sent to the El Cajon Federal Credit Union, 266 S. Magnolia, STE101. El Cajon, CA 92020, account No. 39450.



“It’s time for him to move on and start another chapter of his life,” said Zmijewski.



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