Terry Richards | The Valdosta Daily TimesA sign for 'Back the Blue,' a campaign to generate support for police officers, sits beside the entrance to the Valdosta Police Department Sunday.

VALDOSTA, Ga. — A Valdosta police officer shot when he responded to a call Friday morning is “doing much better” and has taken a few steps, city officials said Sunday.

Officer Randall Hancock was shot Friday morning while answering a call at Three Oaks Apartments. The suspected shooter, Stephen Paul Beck, 22, of Valdosta, was hit when Hancock returned fire, the GBI said in a press release.

Hancock, who was wearing a bulletproof vest, was taken to South Georgia Medical Center. The vest took the brunt of two shots, while a third went under the vest into his abdomen, the GBI said.

Beck was taken to a Florida hospital. He was talking as of Sunday and was under guard by Tallahassee, Fla., police, Valdosta Police Chief Brian Childress said. The suspect reportedly told agents he suffered from depression and admitted making the 911 call Hancock responded to because he wanted to be killed by police, the GBI said.

Beck will be returned to Georgia as soon as he is discharged from the hospital, Childress said.

Larry Hanson, Valdosta’s city manager, visited Hancock and his family at the hospital Sunday morning.

“He’s doing remarkably well,” he said. “We’re thankful it appears he’ll make a full recovery.”

One of the first things Hancock asked about was the condition of Beck, Hanson said.

“I think that says a lot about the character of the officer,” he said.

Hancock has already gotten out of bed and walked a little, Childress said.

Hanson said Hancock and his family have been “overwhelmed” by the community’s support and are thankful.

Both the Rotary Club and a local church have raised funds for the family, Childress said.

Anyone wanting to donate money to help the family with expenses can call the police chief at (229) 293-3100 to make arrangements, he said. Checks or money orders should be made out to “Officer Randall Hancock,” he said.

Terry Richards is senior reporter at The Valdosta Daily Times.