Barron Shepherd is a 6th degree black belt in Kenpo Karate and Jujutsu, a certified instructor and state representative for The International Kenpo Karate Academies (IKKA). Sensei Shepherd also holds black belts in Judo and Shotokan.
Committed to the study of Karate and Jujutsu for over thirty years and dedicated to his neighborhood and community, Sensei Shepherd has done seminars on crime prevention and women’s self defense courses for several businesses, women’s organizations and clubs. Sensei Shepherd was once certified to train police officers in the self defense and use of force portions of state regulated police training and has volunteered countless hours as an auxiliary law enforcement officer providing back up for regular duty law enforcement officers. Presently, Shepherd is a volunteer for the YMCA teaching Kenpo Karate and Jujutsu.
Shepherd's interest in Karate began at the age of thirteen in 1978. Inspired by movies such as "Breaking Point" starring Bo Svenson, "Judo's Gentle Tiger" and "Enter the Dragon" starring the late Bruce Lee, Shepherd purchased the book "Bruce Lee's Fighting method Vol. two: Basic Training" published by Ohara Publications. Shepherd studied from the book and followed the training that was described in it. His solo training continued until the summer of 1979. That summer Shepherd worked as a laborer for his father and uncle who were block masons. Using the money he earned, Shepherd enrolled for lessons at Winter Haven 6th street Karate Dojo.
Shepherd earned his 1st degree black belt on Feb. 12th 1987. In 1989 Shepherd became an Auxiliary Law enforcement officer and certified Law enforcement Instructor thru the state of Florida. In April of 1991, Shepherd received his 2nd degree black belt and opened his first school AMERICAN KARATE SYSTEMS located on 3rd st. n.w. in Winter Haven, Florida. In addition to his dojo, Shepherd had a contract to teach self defense classes for the Polk County Board of Commissioner's office later that same year and continued doing the classes until into 1993.
It was about this time that Shepherd was introduced to John Zimmerman thru a mutual friend and acquaintance. Zimmerman owned and ran Stunt Dynamics Inc. a stunt production company for the film industry. Zimmerman invited Shepherd to observe some auditions for a live stunt show. After which, Shepherd was invited to come back and teach some of Mr. Zimmerman's stunt guys some martial arts techniques, in return Mr. Zimmerman would show Shepherd how to prep others for and perform various stunts. ZImmerman would also use Shepherd on a few different projects.
1994 was an extremely busy year for Shepherd. He would hold other classes, seminars and demonstrations on crime prevention and self defense for other community groups, corporations and businesses. In addition Mr. Zimmerman had opened the door for Shepherd to work on the TV series "Seaquest DSV"during it's second season run. The seond season of the series was shot at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. (Steven Spielberg was the executive producer for season1 and 2 of the series) Shepherd worked as set and personal security for the TV series and landed parts on several episodes.
The series started the second seaon off with a two hour television movie entitled "Daggers" in which the crew of the newly rebuilt SeaQuest must deal with a hostage crisis at a UEO prison colony, where genetically engineered soldiers have risen up against their captors. Shepherd played a dagger, a gentically engineered super soldier with camouflaged skin. (he can be seen performing a martial arts kata) He also had a part as an extra in which he played a UEO security guard in the same episode. Shepherd would play a UEO soldier in other episodes such as the episode "The Fear that Follows". Shepherd also landed parts on the TV series "Fortune Hunter" that same year.
Shortly after earning his 2nd degree black belt in 1991, Shepherd was introduced to a local Judo instructor Terry Tucker. Remembering the movie "Breaking Point" in which Bo Svenson played a judo instructor, Shepherd took up the study of judo at the Winter haven judo Club under Sensei Tucker. By 1996, Shepherd, an Ikkyu (Brown belt) in judo, was recommended by Steve Scott, District Director of the Amateur Athletic Union, to be a regional director for the AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) for Judo in the state of Florida. Shepherd went on to earn his Shodan (1st degree Black belt) in judo on Jan 28th 1998. That same year shepherd started another program, teaching a Judo class for the City Of Auburndale, Fl. Recreational Department. Then in 2005 Shepherd attained a United States Judo Association (USJA) Level 1 coaching certification and in 2006 earned his Nidan (2nd degree Black belt) in Judo.
In 2009, Shepherd became the Indiana State Representative for The International Kenpo Karate Academies (IKKA). Shepherd volunteers his time teaching Kenpo Karate and Jujutsu for the Dunigan Family YMCA in Evansville, Indiana.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Latest on my brother
Today the doctor expressed again the seriousness of my brothers injuries and speculates he will be in the intensive care unit step down room for approximately three more weeks. This is the first inclination of how much longer he will be there that we have had. I know that several of people have inquired.
In the mean time the state attorney's office has sent my family alot of paper work requesting estimates of damage and bodily injury and medical costs and have given us very little time to do it in. The estimates of damage they want in 5 days while the other stuff they want in a few weeks. It has been explained that my brother is still in the hospital but it doesn't matter they still want the information within the time frames. It seems now my family will have to get an attorney which is even another expense.
In the mean time the state attorney's office has sent my family alot of paper work requesting estimates of damage and bodily injury and medical costs and have given us very little time to do it in. The estimates of damage they want in 5 days while the other stuff they want in a few weeks. It has been explained that my brother is still in the hospital but it doesn't matter they still want the information within the time frames. It seems now my family will have to get an attorney which is even another expense.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
UPDATE ON MY BROTHER
I was able to speak with my brother again today. He still sounds weak. It will be a slow recovery he is still bleeding somewhat from his ears and his left lung is collapsed still. He is being watched closely by the medical staff at the hospital.
He has expressed concerns about work and of course the medical expenses. It seems Michael S. Waters who was responsible for the hit and run was not only driving without a license but he had no insurance and was driving a vehicle belonging to someone else.I have to say that person who let Waters drive their vehicle is just as responsible for the hit and run as Waters is. The insurance company Gieco, representing Waters' girlfriend who owned the vehicle Waters was driving, showed up at the hospital on thursday and attempted to talk to my brother but he was still somewhat out of it. My brother only remembers bits and pieces of the conversation. More on that later.
My brother has worked hard and takes pride in keeping his bills paid and paying them off as quickly as possible. So with medical bills looming in the future he is of course concerned.
Several people have contacted us, family members, friends, people who we haven't seen or heard from in years have dropped me emails and have posted comments on the blog. Others who we don't know have contacted us and the ledger expressing concern and well wishes for my brother and my family. We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone.
He has expressed concerns about work and of course the medical expenses. It seems Michael S. Waters who was responsible for the hit and run was not only driving without a license but he had no insurance and was driving a vehicle belonging to someone else.I have to say that person who let Waters drive their vehicle is just as responsible for the hit and run as Waters is. The insurance company Gieco, representing Waters' girlfriend who owned the vehicle Waters was driving, showed up at the hospital on thursday and attempted to talk to my brother but he was still somewhat out of it. My brother only remembers bits and pieces of the conversation. More on that later.
My brother has worked hard and takes pride in keeping his bills paid and paying them off as quickly as possible. So with medical bills looming in the future he is of course concerned.
Several people have contacted us, family members, friends, people who we haven't seen or heard from in years have dropped me emails and have posted comments on the blog. Others who we don't know have contacted us and the ledger expressing concern and well wishes for my brother and my family. We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Michael Waters Rearrested After Bond Mistake; Charged In Crash that Injured Cyclist
Published: Friday, March 12, 2010 at 11:48 p.m.
Last Modified: Friday, March 12, 2010 at 11:48 p.m.
Last Modified: Friday, March 12, 2010 at 11:48 p.m.
LAKELAND | Detectives Thursday rearrested a Polk City man charged in a crash that seriously injured a Winter Haven bicyclist and who was released from jail on a bond amount smaller than anticipated.
Michael S. Waters, 28, had been released from jail on $7,000 bail instead of $75,000 because of a clerical error, authorities said. Detectives added an additional charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and arrested Waters again Thursday night. This time his bail was set at $100,000.
Waters, who the Sheriff's Office calls a "habitual traffic offender," is already charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, driving with a suspended license and leaving the scene of a crash involving serious bodily injury. Detectives found two more guns they say he attempted to hide, leading to Thursday's arrest, spokeswoman Donna Wood said. The case remains under investigation.
The bicyclist, 42-year-old Norman Patrick Shepherd of Winter Haven, was in critical condition after he was hit by a van Waters was driving March 6 in the Lake Alfred area, the Sheriff's Office said.
He was taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center, where he remained in the intensive care unit until this week.
His brother, Barron Shepherd, said Norman Patrick Shepherd, is now in stable condition but is being monitored closely.
"I'd say my brother is going to make it," he said. "My brother's an athlete and he's extremely tough, and I think that's what saved his life."
Family members were frustrated with authorities after Waters was accidentally released on a low bail.
Barron Shepherd said he and his family were happy to hear about Waters' arrest.
"We're extremely elated he is back in jail. It was pretty evident to us that this guy just did not need to be roaming around the streets as a free man," he said. "I've got to commend the Sheriff's Office. They righted their mistake. I'm convinced that they're going to do what they can to make sure this guy is prosecuted to the limit of the law."
He said a cast was put on his brother's broken leg Friday. Shepherd still has a collapsed lung and other broken bones, but he is recovering.
"I know sometime today he sat up on the edge of the bed and told the nurses he was ready to go home," Barron Shepherd said, laughing. "That's just the way he is."
Friday, March 12, 2010
Some reassuring news
Last evening I was notified that Michael S. Waters of 10935 Demillie Road, Polk City, was picked up by the Polk County Sheriffs office, The investigating deputies came to my family's home and offered their apologies for the mistake concerning Water's bail and we were notified that there were placing him back under arrest.
Today my brother who is in intensive care was moved to what they call a step down room. I was able to speak with him but only briefly. He is not out the woods but at least he is talking. He has no memory of the accident or the entire weekend for that matter.
In light of this I spoke with reporters again and expressed my family's gratitude to the PCSO, the emergency personnel and the doctors and nurses at Lakeland regional for thier efforts concerning my brother. I would also like to thank the passing motorist who stopped to help my brother and stayed with him until the authorities and emergency medical personnel arrived.
I would personally like to thank Sheriff Grady Judd of the POlk County Sheriff's Office and the investigating deputies for taking the necessary efforts to see that Michael S Waters is indeed behind bars where he belongs.
I have been vocal in the papers and plan to remain proactive concerning the prosecution of Michael S. Waters seeing that he is indeed prosecuted to the limit of the law. I for one am happy that The Lakeland ledger has allowed my family to have a voice.
Today my brother who is in intensive care was moved to what they call a step down room. I was able to speak with him but only briefly. He is not out the woods but at least he is talking. He has no memory of the accident or the entire weekend for that matter.
In light of this I spoke with reporters again and expressed my family's gratitude to the PCSO, the emergency personnel and the doctors and nurses at Lakeland regional for thier efforts concerning my brother. I would also like to thank the passing motorist who stopped to help my brother and stayed with him until the authorities and emergency medical personnel arrived.
I would personally like to thank Sheriff Grady Judd of the POlk County Sheriff's Office and the investigating deputies for taking the necessary efforts to see that Michael S Waters is indeed behind bars where he belongs.
I have been vocal in the papers and plan to remain proactive concerning the prosecution of Michael S. Waters seeing that he is indeed prosecuted to the limit of the law. I for one am happy that The Lakeland ledger has allowed my family to have a voice.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Bail Error of Habitual Traffic Offender Michael Waters Blamed On Missing Sticky Note
Sheriff says suspect in cyclist's traffic injury may face more charges.
Published: Thursday, March 11, 2010 at 12:02 a.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, March 11, 2010 at 12:02 a.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, March 11, 2010 at 12:02 a.m.
BARTOW | A lost sticky note was to blame in the release of a "habitual traffic offender" on $7,000 bail instead of $75,000, according to an internal review by the Polk County Sheriff's Office on Wednesday.
Michael S. Waters Photo
Provided by the Polk County Sheriff''s Office
Norman Shepherd in intensive care unit at Lakeland Regional Medical Center Sunday in Lakeland. Mr Shepherd was hit by a van driven by Michael Waters while riding his bicycle outside of Lake Alfred Saturday morning. March 9th 2010. Photo supplied by Family.
Following an accident Saturday morning near Lake Alfred, Michael S. Waters, 28, of Polk City was charged with driving on a suspended license, leaving the scene of a crash involving serious bodily injury and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
The wreck hospitalized 42-year-old Winter Haven bicyclist Norman Shepherd.
Sheriff Grady Judd said the error in the bail was a regrettable "human mistake."
But Shepherd's family members are still upset.
Deputies investigating the crash assured Shepherd's family Waters bail would be set high.
They asked Circuit Judge J. David Langford to assign a $25,000 bail amount for each of the three charges, which he approved.
"This judicial authorization was communicated by phone to the deputy who transported Waters to the Polk County Jail," according to sheriff's reports.
"Upon delivering (Waters) to the jail, the receiving clerk added and attached a separate 'sticky note' to the arrest affidavit packet so that jail staff responsible for applying the normal bond schedule to the charges would know to set a higher bond amount."
But the note fell off the affidavit. The standard bail was set. And Waters used Bartow-based Bail Advantage to post the $7,000 bail amount before the mistake was found.
Norman Shepherd remained in critical condition Wednesday at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, although he was improving slowly, family members said.
His lung remains collapsed, bones are broken and scrapes remain. But Shepherd is talking more and can now open both of his eyes.
"He doesn't remember the accident, but he is aware of it," said Barron Shepherd, Norman's brother. "And he knows that (Waters) was released."
While improvements in Norman's condition are positive, the mistake about Waters' increased bail made family members angry.
"They dropped the ball," Barron Shepherd said. "They (the deputies) did not do what they looked us in the eye and told us they were going to do. That gave us comfort. But that sense of security and comfort is gone."
Judd said deputies would call the family to explain the situation.
"I apologize we disappointed the family and didn't get the higher bond because of a paperwork mistake," he said. "But it still doesn't change the fact that he (Waters) was identified and arrested quickly. This doesn't lessen his criminal culpability. He still has to answer to those charges. And we have additional charges under investigation."
Judd said the deputies didn't break agency policy by not attaching the note in another way.
"They made a mistake trying to go above and beyond," Judd said. "They weren't obligated to do that. But I understand the family's frustration. If one of my loved ones would have been run over, I would have wanted him to get the death penalty."
Judd said corrective measures are being taken internally to ensure the mistake isn't repeated.
Waters may face additional charges depending on the results of blood and urine tests taken at the scene of Saturday's accident. The results could take several weeks to receive.
If additional charges are filed, Waters would be returned to jail and a new bail would be set.
"It's not like he is getting out of something," Judd said. "None of us wanted to disappoint them."
[ Jeremy Maready can be reached at jeremy.maready@theledger.com or 863-802-7592. ]
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
And yet another travesty
After Michael S. Waters of Polk City Florida was arrested for the hit and run of my brother and my family being told by the Polk county Sheriff's office investigating officer that Waters would be held on a 75,000.00 dollar bound to ensure he stays in jail. Waters a convicted felon spent less than 24 hours in jail was released on a bound set at 7000.00 of which he only had to pay 700 hundred dollars to be released.
The note fell off the affidavit. The standard bail was set. And Waters was able to pay 700.00 dollars to post the $7,000 bail. I cannot help but think.... what a bone head move, in this day and time, the age of the internet, the "communication breakdown" as the PCSO calls it, boiled down to a single "sticky note". It will take me awhile to get my mind around that one. I guess it was just too damn difficult to place a note on an normal sized sheet of paper and staple it to the front of the affidavit. (CAN YOU SAY STAPLER?) Needless to say as my family and I worry about the condition of my brother, I for one am angry and cannot help but think how there is no measure of the level of the incompetence of how Waters' bail was handled.
Below is a picture of my brother in intensive care in critical condition. Monday morning as my brother lays in the hospital on a respirator, Michael S. Waters, the man who struck him with a van, from behind, while my brother was riding his bicycle and then fleeing the scene leaving him to die, was spotted at home in his front yard drinking a beer.
Mistake Gets Man Out on Lower Bail; Accused of Striking Bicyclist With Van
Polk County Deputies investigating the crash assured my family that Waters' bail would be set high. Despite the condition of my brother and the anguish we were going thru, being told that Waters was arrested and that he would probably not get out of jail did offer some comfort to my family.
The deputies asked the Circuit Judge to assign a $25,000 bail amount for each of the three charges, which he approved. The judges authorization was made by phone to the deputy who transported Waters to the Polk County Jail. When Waters was delivered to the jail, the receiving clerk added and attached a separate 'sticky note' to the arrest affidavit packet so that jail staff responsible for applying the normal bond schedule to the charges would know to set a higher bond amount.
Below is a picture of my brother in intensive care in critical condition. Monday morning as my brother lays in the hospital on a respirator, Michael S. Waters, the man who struck him with a van, from behind, while my brother was riding his bicycle and then fleeing the scene leaving him to die, was spotted at home in his front yard drinking a beer.
Mistake Gets Man Out on Lower Bail; Accused of Striking Bicyclist With Van
Photo supplied by Family
Norman Shepherd in intensive care unit at Lakeland Regional Medical Center Sunday in Lakeland. Mr Shepherd was hit by a van driven by Michael Waters while riding his bicycle outside of Lake Alfred Saturday morning. March 9th 2010.
BARTOW | A breakdown in communication between the Polk County Courthouse and the Sheriff's Office involving a "habitual traffic offender" accused of striking a Winter Haven bicyclist with his van led to his release on $7,000 bail instead of $75,000.
MICHAEL WATERS
Waters was charged Monday as a 'habitual traffic offender' by the Polk County Sheriff's Office. Some of his previous traffic charges include:
June 2007: Passenger safety belt violation; front seat passenger
January 2007: Knowingly driving while license suspended/revoked
August 2006: No valid driver license;no motor vehicle registration; failure to maintain proof of personal injury insurance; careless driving with damage/injury
March 2006: Unknowingly operating a vehicle while driver license suspended.
January 2006: Speeding on the Florida Turnpike; safety belt violation
July 2005: Knowingly driving while license suspended or revoked
June 2005: Careless driving; knowingly driving while license suspended/revoked
April 2005: Careless driving with property damage
March 2005: Operating vehicle with unsafe conditions/improper equipment
The situation has left sheriff's officials puzzled and the bicyclist's family upset.
"We are trying to find out what happened," sheriff's spokeswoman Donna Wood said Tuesday. "I don't have all the answers yet."
Michael S. Waters, 28, of Polk City was charged Saturday with driving on a suspended license, leaving the scene of a crash involving serious bodily injury and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, all of which stemmed from an accident that hospitalized 42-year-old Winter Haven bicyclist Norman Shepherd.
Deputies said Waters was driving his van on Cass Road near Lake Alfred when he struck Shepherd and then ran from the scene, leaving the bicyclist on the side of the road with life-threatening injuries.
Deputies arrested Waters about a mile away.
When he was booked into the jail, his charges were evaluated and a standard bail amount - established by the chief circuit judge - was assigned at $7,000, officials said.
But deputies investigating the crash wanted a higher bail for Waters, $25,000 for each charge, and Circuit Judge J. David Langford approved the higher bail.
But before paperwork could be processed, Waters posted $7,000 bail and was released from jail.
"Unfortunately, it didn't get completely through and he bonded out before first appearance for that standard bond," Wood said.
"The on-duty judge had approved it."
Sheriff's officials are investigating what will happen in the case and if Waters' bail will be raised.
Other charges will be considered after investigators receive the results of toxicology tests, officials said.
A LONG WAY TO RECOVERY
The mistake is upsetting to Shepherd's family members.
"Here we sit wondering if my brother is going to pull through," said Barron Shepherd. "And this guy sits in jail for 24 hours and is out on bail? It's an utter travesty."
While Norman Shepherd is improving, he still has a long way to go in recovering from his injuries.
He has multiple injuries, which include multiple compound fractures to the left leg, multiple breaks in his right arm, a broken collar bone, six broken ribs, a collapsed lung and severe cuts to his face.
A CAT scan revealed injuries to his head that caused bleeding on the back of the brain and neck.
But his doctors are optimistic that he will survive, Barron Shepherd said.
"He was on a respirator and they did take that off (Monday) night," he said.
Talking is limited. Shepherd doesn't remember the accident.
When asked by a nurse what year it was, he replied "1985," his brother said Tuesday.
"If he does pull through, we're wondering if he's going to walk normally and all of that," Barron Shepherd said. "The doctors say he is doing remarkably well. But it's going to take a long time of rehab if he's going to be able to function."
Shepherd said part of his brother's "remarkable" recovery can be attributed to his athletic training.
Norman Shepherd, who works for Polk County's traffic division, is an avid bike rider and runner.
"For being 42, he's in extremely good shape," Barron Shepherd said.
Norman Shepherd cares for his 74-year-old mother, Valeria, who lives with him in Winter Haven.
When their father, James, was dying of cancer in 2004, Norman moved in with him temporarily to care for him.
"That's just the kind of guy my brother is," Barron Shepherd said.
TROUBLE WITH THE LAW
Saturday's arrest wasn't the first for Waters, who has a long list of previous criminal convictions and traffic offenses.
Attempts to contact Waters were unsuccessful Tuesday.
At first, the Polk City man's offenses were small - minor convictions for possession of tobacco by a minor and smoking on school grounds.
But things began to get more serious as Waters got older.
Between 2005 and 2007, Waters was cited for nine different traffic violations, including knowingly driving with a suspended license, careless driving with property damage and operating a vehicle in unsafe conditions, to name a few.
In 2001, Waters approached a man in Auburndale, threatened him and stole his bicycle. He was convicted of robbery and theft, reports said.
In 2002, Waters was convicted of grand theft, uttering a forged document, forgery and uttering a forged instrument when he tried to cash two phony checks at a store in Wahneta, reports from that case said.
For that he served more than a year in state prison, according to the Florida Department of Corrections.
And in 2008, while riding a bicycle in Auburndale, Waters was found with a glass pipe that tested positive for methamphetamine. He was convicted of possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
In Saturday's incident, Waters license was already suspended for 60 months for his numerous traffic convictions.
In talking with Lake Alfred police officers and deputies after the crash, he said he had been smoking methamphetamine and drinking before he drove that day.
Waters' history has left Norman Shepherd's family with many unanswered questions.
"I'm doing what I can to make people aware of the situation," Barron Shepherd said. "We're not going to sit quietly by. ... When is enough, enough?"
"We are trying to find out what happened," sheriff's spokeswoman Donna Wood said Tuesday. "I don't have all the answers yet."
Michael S. Waters, 28, of Polk City was charged Saturday with driving on a suspended license, leaving the scene of a crash involving serious bodily injury and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, all of which stemmed from an accident that hospitalized 42-year-old Winter Haven bicyclist Norman Shepherd.
Deputies said Waters was driving his van on Cass Road near Lake Alfred when he struck Shepherd and then ran from the scene, leaving the bicyclist on the side of the road with life-threatening injuries.
Deputies arrested Waters about a mile away.
When he was booked into the jail, his charges were evaluated and a standard bail amount - established by the chief circuit judge - was assigned at $7,000, officials said.
But deputies investigating the crash wanted a higher bail for Waters, $25,000 for each charge, and Circuit Judge J. David Langford approved the higher bail.
But before paperwork could be processed, Waters posted $7,000 bail and was released from jail.
"Unfortunately, it didn't get completely through and he bonded out before first appearance for that standard bond," Wood said.
"The on-duty judge had approved it."
Sheriff's officials are investigating what will happen in the case and if Waters' bail will be raised.
Other charges will be considered after investigators receive the results of toxicology tests, officials said.
A LONG WAY TO RECOVERY
The mistake is upsetting to Shepherd's family members.
"Here we sit wondering if my brother is going to pull through," said Barron Shepherd. "And this guy sits in jail for 24 hours and is out on bail? It's an utter travesty."
While Norman Shepherd is improving, he still has a long way to go in recovering from his injuries.
He has multiple injuries, which include multiple compound fractures to the left leg, multiple breaks in his right arm, a broken collar bone, six broken ribs, a collapsed lung and severe cuts to his face.
A CAT scan revealed injuries to his head that caused bleeding on the back of the brain and neck.
But his doctors are optimistic that he will survive, Barron Shepherd said.
"He was on a respirator and they did take that off (Monday) night," he said.
Talking is limited. Shepherd doesn't remember the accident.
When asked by a nurse what year it was, he replied "1985," his brother said Tuesday.
"If he does pull through, we're wondering if he's going to walk normally and all of that," Barron Shepherd said. "The doctors say he is doing remarkably well. But it's going to take a long time of rehab if he's going to be able to function."
Shepherd said part of his brother's "remarkable" recovery can be attributed to his athletic training.
Norman Shepherd, who works for Polk County's traffic division, is an avid bike rider and runner.
"For being 42, he's in extremely good shape," Barron Shepherd said.
Norman Shepherd cares for his 74-year-old mother, Valeria, who lives with him in Winter Haven.
When their father, James, was dying of cancer in 2004, Norman moved in with him temporarily to care for him.
"That's just the kind of guy my brother is," Barron Shepherd said.
TROUBLE WITH THE LAW
Saturday's arrest wasn't the first for Waters, who has a long list of previous criminal convictions and traffic offenses.
Attempts to contact Waters were unsuccessful Tuesday.
At first, the Polk City man's offenses were small - minor convictions for possession of tobacco by a minor and smoking on school grounds.
But things began to get more serious as Waters got older.
Between 2005 and 2007, Waters was cited for nine different traffic violations, including knowingly driving with a suspended license, careless driving with property damage and operating a vehicle in unsafe conditions, to name a few.
In 2001, Waters approached a man in Auburndale, threatened him and stole his bicycle. He was convicted of robbery and theft, reports said.
In 2002, Waters was convicted of grand theft, uttering a forged document, forgery and uttering a forged instrument when he tried to cash two phony checks at a store in Wahneta, reports from that case said.
For that he served more than a year in state prison, according to the Florida Department of Corrections.
And in 2008, while riding a bicycle in Auburndale, Waters was found with a glass pipe that tested positive for methamphetamine. He was convicted of possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
In Saturday's incident, Waters license was already suspended for 60 months for his numerous traffic convictions.
In talking with Lake Alfred police officers and deputies after the crash, he said he had been smoking methamphetamine and drinking before he drove that day.
Waters' history has left Norman Shepherd's family with many unanswered questions.
"I'm doing what I can to make people aware of the situation," Barron Shepherd said. "We're not going to sit quietly by. ... When is enough, enough?"
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