Denver Officer Lopez Rises From Wheelchair, Accepts Promotion On Crutches
DENVER (CBS4) - A Denver police officer who was shot last month during a traffic stop surprised everyone during his promotion ceremony on Friday morning.
Tony Lopez Jr. was one of 13 officers who were promoted to the rank of sergeant at the Denver Police Academy.
Lopez was shot multiple times and gravely hurt in the traffic stop on Dec. 8, and he spent more than three weeks in the hospital. His promotion had been scheduled to happen before the shooting incident took place.
On Friday Lopez walked up to the podium to accept his promotion on crutches. It was the first time he has appeared in public without a wheelchair, a good sign that Lopez's recovery continues to go well. It was also a surprise to just about everyone in the crowd, considering Lopez had come into the room in a wheelchair and had been sitting in it through the first portion of the ceremony.
Lopez wife, Kristen, says her husband worked hard at physical therapy to ensure he would walk across that stage at the ceremony.
"It just goes to show how strong of a person he truly is. The day when I got the call, I never would expect him to come as a far as he has let alone walk across the stage and let me pin the badge on him," said Kristen.
Lopez declined to speak with CBS4 Friday, saying he didn't want to overshadow his peers and their accomplishments.
Denver police said in a prepared statement that the new sergeants have "experience and determination, which will serve them well in their new roles."
Jason Wood faces an attempted murder charge in the shooting of Lopez.
Jennifer Brice is a reporter with CBS4 focusing on crime and courts. Follow her on Facebook or on Twitter @CBS4Jenn.