Snr Const Lamb (50), a father of three, and Constable Mitchel Alatalo (30), were still recovering in hospital last night from gunshot injuries they suffered during a seemingly routine job in Christchurch on Tuesday.
Australian-born Const Alatalo could be released as soon as this morning after treatment to a gunshot wound in his upper thigh, said local Police Association head Craig Prior, who visited the pair in hospital yesterday.
Snr Const Lamb would be there for a few more days after his jaw was shattered by a bullet, and was still in pain.
"But he's doing pretty good too. Most of the time he's the same old Bruce - he's a very easy going sort of guy, with a good sense of humour," Mr Prior said.
"His jaw's been fixed and he's obviously on pureed food, and drinking through a straw and stuff, and he can see the funny side of that at the moment."
His wife Jill had joked that additional screws could be put in her husband's jaw to stop him talking.
However, Snr Const Lamb was also sorely missing his "best friend", police dog Gage, who was shot and killed in Tuesday's incident while protecting his handler.
Snr Const Lamb had taken on Gage when probably no other handler could have, he said.
"He knows how lucky he is, and how close he has come [to death]. They both do."
Mr Prior said while the issue of their careers had not been specifically discussed, he got the impression neither officer would be giving up their job.
"Bruce is a 32-year veteran with a distinguished career, and it's going to take a little bit more than [being shot] to finish him in the job.
Mitch is just entering his career ... he loves the job and he joined the job to make a difference."
Canterbury district commander Superintendent Dave Cliff revealed yesterday that the man who allegedly shot the two officers was not licensed to have the two rifles and the shotgun found at his home.
A third officer had tried to subdue the alleged gunman with a Taser, but was unsuccessful.
Charges of attempted murder were laid yesterday against the alleged gunman, Christopher Graeme Smith (24).
He was remanded in custody.
Snr Const Lamb had been doing plenty of "soul-searching" about how he could have approached Tuesday's incident differently, Supt Cliff said.
He had raised the issue of whether he should have taken a firearm from his police car into the callout with him, but equally did not think it would have made a difference.
"I have absolutely reassured [the officers] they have done the right thing," Supt Cliff said.
The families of both officers yesterday thanked the public for the overwhelming support.
"We've had hundreds of texts, emails, phone calls, flowers and messages from so many people, many unknown to us," Mrs Lamb said.
Const Alatalo's wife, Philippa, said: "The care and concern shown by so many means a lot to both of us and helps to keep our spirits up."
