Exclusive: Sheriff Arpaio talks to FOX 10 about his recovery - DC Breaking Local News Weather Sports FOX 5 WTTG

It's been two weeks since Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio fell and broke his shoulder and it's also been two weeks since we've seen or heard from him.

For the first time and only on FOX 10, Arpaio talked about his recovery and he responded to those who instead of wishing him well were disappointed he wasn't more seriously hurt.

But first he discussed the fall that's kept him off the job.  Arpaio says he tripped over something protruding on the walkway.

"I fell face down and slid and the brunt of the fall was on my left shoulder which broke in two places," said Arpaio.

Did he swear when he went down?

"No, I was in too much pain to be making an issue."

The Sheriff ventured out of his house for the first time Friday to get a hair cut.

"I want people to know I got a hair cut and I'm rearing to go back to work next week."

This is the most time Arpaio has ever taken off in his entire law enforcement career.

"I've seen my wife more now than in 57 years of marriage on a continuous basis because I don't take vacation."

Arpaio's fall generated the most comments ever on our Facebook page.  Most of them supportive.

"It's very humbled to get so much support," he said.

But we had a fair share of people who really got on his case.

"It's kind of disgusting.  I am a law enforcement official trying to do my job. If you don't like the way I look, at least respect the uniform, respect my office, respect me for what I try to do," said Arpaio.

Let's clear up the rumors.  One is that he's been in there this long because he got cosmetic surgery.

"My record is an open book.  I've been to the hospital one time in my life.  It was two days.  I spent one day in my 80 years when I was knocked out when I was a cop in Washington, D.C."

"Someone upstairs is looking out for me.  I work hard.  When I feel I can't do the job, then I ride off into the sunset, but that day has not come up and I'm going to be the Sheriff for many more years.  So all these critics can keep blasting away and they don't have the decency to give me a week off without blasting me."

He responded to the negative comments on Facebook, but he was also touched by the thousands of well-wishers.

Related stories:

• Arpaio resting at home after broken shoulder
• MCSO: Sheriff Arpaio released from hospital
• Maricopa County sheriff recovers after tripping, breaking shoulder