NATCHEZ — Following surgeries in Natchez and Jackson for a gunshot wound to the shoulder, Friday’s bank robbery suspect was booked at the Natchez Police Department Sunday evening on five felony charges, Police Chief Mike Mullins said.

Kendrick D. Smith, 23, 68-A LaGrange Road, was booked on one count of armed robbery, three counts of aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer and one count of aggravated assault.

Smith reportedly robbed a U.S. 61 South branch of United Mississippi Bank at gunpoint midday Friday before exchanging gunfire with Adams County Sheriff’s Office deputies outside the bank while trying to flee the scene.

Deputy Buddy Frank was shot in the right calf when he and two other deputies encountered Smith hiding near the bank by Kentucky Fried Chicken, where the deputies were dining.

“Even though he was hit, Deputy Buddy Frank was able to return fire,” Sheriff Chuck Mayfield said. “(Frank) disregarded his own safety to try to stop the suspect from harming anyone else.”

Frank was sent home from Natchez Regional Medical Center Friday without undergoing surgery.

Frank’s wife, Pam Frank, said doctors left the bullet in her husband’s calf because removing it would cause more damage to his muscle tissue.

Smith reportedly fired three rounds at the three deputies at the scene, with one hitting Frank. The attempted shots and bullet that hit Frank account for the three counts of aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer for which Smith was charged, Mullins said.

The aggravated assault charge stemmed from when Smith reportedly fired his .22 caliber handgun at Natchez Ford employee Steven Wilson while trying to escape through the dealership’s parking lot, Mullins said.

The injured suspect was arrested and transported to the hospital after law enforcement stopped him near the bank of St. Catherine’s Creek, Mayfield said.

Pam said her husband is resting at home and able to move around using a walker.

“He’s taking it easy. It’s just going to be a tough time we’ve got to get through,” Frank said.

She said she is not sure how long the recovery process will take.

“(Buddy) is going stir crazy already because he’s been sitting down with his foot up,” Pam said.

She said the bullet fractured a bone in his leg when it entered before exploding into pieces, which are still stuck in his leg.

Pam Frank said she found out her husband was shot when he called her to tell her about it.

Pam Frank said she thought the story was a joke at first, but she and her son, who were in Jackson at the time, immediately drove to Natchez when they realized it was true.

Shortly after Pam heard the news, people started calling her to check on Buddy, she said.

“We just appreciate all the prayers, and people calling and checking.”