A Jacksonville police officer who escaped a gun battle with a suspect was honored as officer of the year.

Sheriff Rutherford presented Detective Jared Reston with a plaque on Thursday.

Reston is back on the job after surviving a bullet to the face. He exchanged gunfire with a shoplifting suspect in the Regency area about a year ago.

Despite being shot, the detective returned fire, hitting and killing the suspect.

After receiving the officer of the year award Reston said he never expected to be shot but he was prepared.

"It was just an average day, working off duty. It was very slow actually. That's how police work goes; it goes from slow to life-threatening in the drop of a hat," Reston said.

Reston's will to survive has earned him other accolades, including a Purple Heart.