A decorated Boston police officer who was shot in the face is improving after hours of surgery. Officials stated on Sunday that the bullet was removed from his neck.

The 34-year-old officer and six-year department veteran, John Moynihan, was shot below his eye on Friday by a 41-year-old man, Angelo West. West was shot by other officers at the scene, and he died of his wounds.

West shot Moynihan in the face without warning. The bullet was lodged just below his ear.

Moynihan underwent several hours of surgery at Boston Medical Center. Police Department Commissioner William Evans said in a statement that doctors were able to remove the lodged bullet.

Evans said that he was happy that Moynihan made it through the surgery without complications. He added that “it shows what a strong kid he is.”

Evans said he is in stable and improving condition. He added that Moynihan is recovering and is expected to be moving from the intensive care unit in the following week. Evans visited Moynihan, alongside Cardinal Sean O’Malley, Sunday afternoon.

Moynihan and five other officers stopped a car driven by West Friday to investigate a report of shots being fired. When Moynihan approached West’s car, West shot him. He continued to shoot at the remaining officers and attempted to run away. But, he was fatally wounded by the other officers.

Two others that were with West have not been charged in the shooting, but they are being held on unrelated charges. According to state law, West’s death must be investigated. However, District Attorney Daniel Conley said that the investigation is expected to be “transparent.”

West had several prior gun convictions. One included firing at police officers in 2001.

Moynihan is an Iraq veteran and a former Army ranger who was honored at the White House in 2014. He was one of the first to respond in Watertown after the gun battle with the Boston Marathon bombers in April 2013 and he helped save transit police officer Richard Donohue, according to Associated Press.