HOLLYWOOD, Fla. -- A 28-year-old Broward Sheriff's Office deputy who was shot in the head earlier this month is improving, said Sheriff Ken Jenne.

Deputy Maury Hernandez was conducting a traffic stop shortly before noon Aug. 6 when a motorcyclist got off the vehicle, ran from the deputy, then turned and shot him.

Hernandez was taken by ambulance to Memorial Regional Hospital, where he remains hospitalized.

In an e-mail sent to BSO employees, Jenne said that Hernandez's wife, Jody, asked him to pass on the good news. She said that her husband was responding to commands and moving his right arm and leg. She also said doctors remain optimistic about his recovery.

Hernandez has been with the BSO since 2002, Jenne said. He was not on duty at the time of the shooting and was wearing plain clothes on his way to work as part of his undercover assignment with the selective enforcement team.

David Maldonado was found a short time after the shooting. He is being held without bond.