he was beaten by fellow officers w who mistook him as a suspect. he left him bloody and bruised after discovering his identity. he was out of the job for six months before returning to the department where he would stay for 30 years. why did you stay? you know, and it wasn t an easy decision at the time, but, you know, one, i had served the public and i loved the job. i know all the good people that do this job and, yeah, there are knuckleheads and people out there that are out there sometimes in these places but the reality back then i was saying that s not what police something and if i leave how am i helping it to get better. reporter: cox never fully told his story publicly until two years ago. motivated by the protests following george floyd s killing. i just felt like what is happening? what is happening with the world around policing? like this is a profession that s needed everywhere, we can do it