Fresno jail officer who was shot is home in Sanger

Juanita Davila, one of two Fresno County correctional officers who were shot in the lobby of the jail, went home Friday to her family in Sanger.

“She feels good,” daughter Crystal Davila said Friday afternoon. “She’s happy to be home, and she wants to thank all of you for your thoughts and prayers, and she wants to thank all of the community and all of the law enforcement community worldwide.”

Davila, 51, was struck in the face by a bullet.

Her daughter read a note from Davila to the community: “I also want to extend my thank yous to all the medical staff at Fresno Community Regional Medical Center. All the doctors and nurses were excellent. I know I received the best care they can give me. Also the Leon S. Peters Rehabilitation Center was excellent. They always made me feel at home. They always gave me hope. Thank you for going far and beyond to make me always feel better. I wish everyone the best and may God always keep you and yours safe. Also, keep the Scanlan family in prayers, sincerely, Juanita Davila.”

Toamalama Scanlan, 40, of Clovis, her fellow correctional officer was shot in the head.

The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office said Scanlan remains in critical condition at the hospital. “Although his recovery may take longer than Juanita’s, we at the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office are hopeful that he too will experience a day where he walks out of the hospital and returns to his home,” said spokesman Tony Botti.

Davila and Scanlan were unarmed and working in the lobby of the downtown Fresno jail Sept. 3 when they were shot as they tried to escort Thong Vang, a Hmong refugee with a violent criminal history, out of the lobby. Vang, 37, is facing attempted murder charges. He pleaded not guilty Thursday. A status hearing is scheduled for Oct. 19.

On Friday, Sanger Police Chief Silver Rodriguez greeted Davila at her home with flowers and a photo of the $37,450 raised Thursday at a barbecue for the officers, Botti said.

This story was originally published September 16, 2016 at 2:17 PM with the headline "Fresno jail officer who was shot is home in Sanger."