WALLA WALLA-Washington State Patrol Trooper Dean Atkinson's motto "always come home," as stated by his dad on a Facebook post, did that this week. He came home to a parade led by WSP vehicles followed by Walla Walla, College Place, Pasco Police, Walla Walla County Sheriff, Walla Walla and Waitsburg Fire department vehicles, and other emergency service vehicles.

People lined Myra Road and Dalles Military Road waving flags, holding signs, and welcoming home Trooper 1197. WSP Troopers escorted Atkinson from Seattle to Walla Walla on Sunday, October 2 where he will finish recuperating from his injuries.

Atkinson, a five-year veteran of WSP, was shot in the face and hand while on duty on September 22. He drove himself to the local hospital where he was transferred to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. Atkinson stays positive and lives by the State Patrol motto, "Service with Humility" and the motto at the Academy, "I will not quit, I will not die, I will survive".

Welcome home Dean!