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Athens-Clarke police Officer Tony Howard returned to work Monday, just six months after a suspect shot him twice, then killed another police officer.

Howard, an award-winning senior police officer known for walking the beat in some of |the county’s roughest neighborhoods, is easing through the transition back to work, according to Athens-Clarke Police Chief Jack Lumpkin.

“He said it’s good to be back and to see the faces of the other officers,” Lumpkin said.

“We in the police department feel very fortunate to have Tony back in the building and progressing toward the new norm,” he said.

Howard was hit in the face and shoulder when a robbery and kidnapping suspect shot him, then killed Senior Police Officer Elmer “Buddy” Christian after a traffic stop March 22 on Sycamore Drive.

Howard has made remarkable progress in his recovery, and police officials will make sure over the next week that he meets the requirements of the Georgia Peace Officers Standards and Training Council, such as physical fitness and firearms proficiency.

“Once he meets the prerequisites to qualify, then he will work in the section that does background checks on applicants and do recruitment” of new officers, Lumpkin said.

The police chief also had mentioned that Howard might assist with the training unit before he is permanently assigned.

Howard has another doctor’s appointment next week, which should let officials know if he has any physical limitations that would guide where he is assigned.

Howard had expressed interest in becoming a detective, but Lumpkin and other police brass have not yet spoken to him about it, Lumpkin said.

Howard was in good spirits when he showed up for work Monday morning, and his presence at the Lexington Road police headquarters buoyed officers and civilian employees alike.

“Tony has very much enjoyed the greetings that individuals have given him as he met them,” Lumpkin said.

Howard wants to talk about his return to the job he loves, but also wanted to wait a week as he readjusts to the work.

“He said he’d like to get his feet wet first,” Lumpkin said.

Howard, 43, is well-regarded in the police department for his success in getting violent felons off the street through successful community-oriented policing.

The U.S. Justice Department in 2009 recognized Howard for his crime-reduction strategies and mentoring children in high-crime areas.