Brother Of NYPD Officer Attacked By Hatchet-Wielding Man Graduates From Police Academy
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- As a NYPD officer heals from a hatchet attack caught on surveillance video last October, another member of his family has now joined the ranks of the department.
As CBS2's Scott Rapoport reported, among an endless sea of NYPD blue and the huge swell of pride over the Thursday's graduating class from the police academy, a special life-affirming moment was had by the Healey family.
Kenneth Healey watched as his younger brother, 22-year-old John, became an NYPD officer, thankful he is alive to see it.
"You know, it's dangerous. You just gotta be safe," he said.
Back in October, Healey was hit in the back of the head with a hatched by a man on Jamaica Avenue. The suspect was shot and killed by other officers who were with him at the time.
Healey was rushed to Jamaica Hospital with life-threatening injuries. His subsequent release six days later, accompanied by his father James who is a Nassau County police detective, was the start of a long road of healing and physical rehabilitation.
Now, brother John says he never thought twice about joining the force, even after the attack on his brother.
"No, not at all. We come from a long line of police officers, and I look up to him every day," said John Healey.
Big brother Kenneth is looking well and fit, Rapoport reported. He has yet to be able to rejoin the force full-time.
But he hopes to reach that milestone someday down the road, saying there are aspects he misses.
"Just the camaraderie, the action. It's a fun job," he said.
John Healey said he will be assigned to the 101 Precinct in Far Rockaway, Queens.