Hereford headed to speedy recovery

At age 85, Frank Hereford is recovering from his injuries at a remarkable speed.

According to Hereford's daughter, Becky Canaday, after doctors were able to take Hereford off the ventilator last Thursday, his health has continued to steadily improve. Canaday said her father has been up moving around and going for short walks through the hospital. In fact, his recovery has progressed to such a state doctors are talking about transferring Hereford to the Mercy Health Center Rehab Centre on Friday.

According to Canaday, Hereford has retained a positive attitude since regaining consciousness.

"His spirits are wonderful," Canaday said. "He gets a little tired in the afternoon. The main thing is he's working on getting back to where he was."

Canaday said her father is now able to communicate verbally with doctors and family members.

However, he does not remember the events surrounding the attack the night he was assaulted, making him unable to assist law enforcement in identifying a suspect. According to Canaday, doctors have reported they do not think Hereford's memory of the incident will return. In similar cases, the victim's memory of the events has not come back, she said.

Even though Hereford cannot remember much from the night he was attacked, Canaday said she is just glad he is getting better.

"It's a miracle," she said. "I sure didn't think he'd make it."

Hereford was the victim of a violent assault at his home on Saturday, Oct. 18. The attack on Hereford was of such a violent nature it left him lying in his driveway, with every bone between his nose and his left ear fractured. Even the dentures Hereford was wearing were broken by the vicious attack.

The ongoing investigation into the incident is being conducted by the Bourbon County Sheriff's Department and the Kansas Bureau of Investigations. However, officials are unable to give specific details about the case at this time.

Undersheriff Ron Gray said he is still processing evidence and completing interviews and reports. There are no suspects in the case at this time, but Gray said he is looking at the incident from all angles, making this case one of his top priorities.

"I'm doing my best to work this case and follow all the leads that come in," Gray said.