Friends And Neighbors Welcome Home Injured Bourne Police Officer
BOURNE (CBS) - Friends and neighbors lined the streets to celebrate the survival of wounded Bourne Police Officer Jared MacDonald.
Officer MacDonald was shot in the back one month ago when he was ambushed by a Coast Guardsman who murdered one woman and wounded another.
Police officers from all over Cape Cod helped escort Officer MacDonald from Spaulding Rehab in Charlestown to Bourne.
"It's been phenomenal - and joyful," said Officer Jared MacDonald.
Neighbors lined the streets to wave and cheer for MacDonald's return.
"They're a wonderful family. His wife is a school bus driver for all of our grand kids - they're just a wonderful, loving family," said Ginny Ruggiero of West Barnstable.
"It's tragic what happened to him and we're just hoping everything works out for him," said Sonny Ruggiero also of West Barnstable.
The community's outpouring of support has been well-received by the Bourne Police Department.
"It's great for the police department; it's great for everybody. It's nice to see this kind of support," said Bourne Police Chief Dennis Woodside.
Officer MacDonald has had a remarkable recovery so far. He is beating his doctor's predictions and already walking with a cane, but knows Wednesday's trip is just another step on a long journey to a full recovery.
"Things are going to take some time and times something I'm going to need for a little while," Officer MacDonald said.
MacDonald wants to return to the police force, and his chief says the whole department is ready to help him achieve that goal.