LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WHAS11) -- She was the little girl, with the beautiful blue eyes and now 10 years later, she's the beautiful young girl with the smile many thought they'd never see again.
“I have got shot five to six times when I was two and they killed my mom,” Erica Hughes said, who was shooting victim.
On May 18, 2006, LMPD shut down Broadway all the way to Dixie Highway after a landlord discovered Erin Harper shot to death in her home and her two year old daughter, Erica Hughes clinging to life after being shot five times.
“We don't waiver in those types of situations again our goal was to get the best immediate care for the child and we never hesitated in doing that,” Dwight Mitchell, LMPD, told media on the day of the shooting.
Erica pulled through and for 10 years she's been a symbol of hope for her community. From parades to hospital visits, Erica continues to spread her message impacting lives every step of the way.
“I love her. That's a part of me. She is a part of me, of my family. We just love the Harper's. We love them,” former city police officer, Bishop Steve Kelsey said.
On that horrific day, Officer Kelsey broke protocol and drove 120 MPH to save Erica's life.
“When I think that I've gone through a lot or I've had a bad day, I just think about Erica. And all of my problems and woes is me it just goes away,” he said.
Like Erica, he's grown a lot since then, trading in his badge for a Bible he's now the Pastor at Spirit Filled New Life. But one thing that never changes is their relationship and true appreciation for each other.
“I like when he's around me because he helped them save me when I was little. If they wouldn't have done that I would be dead right now,” Erica said.
“It's just a blessing and just to see her now at 12, almost a teenager. It's just a blessing,” Bishop Steve Kelsey said.
Erica will be part of the Hood 2 Hood movement's "Put Down the Guns" Summer Awareness series on June 7. It's at 6:30 p.m. at the Chestnut Street YMCA.