A San Bernardino police officer who survived being shot in the head three years ago has retired at age 34.

About 200 people gathered Thursday to mark the retirement of Officer Gabe Garcia, who has journeyed from a coma to being able to walk and speak but continues to undergo rehabilitation.

Police Chief Jarrod Burguan says watching Garcia go through the process has been inspirational.

Garcia was on patrol with Officer Marcus Pesquera on Aug. 22, 2014, when they stopped to check out a group of people gathered around a car.

As the officers stepped out of the patrol car a man opened fire and struck Garcia. Pesquera shot the man dead.

The Press-Enterprise says Garcia briefly addressed the retirement gathering, saying he was happy to be alive.