Suffolk County Police Officer Michael LaFauci released from hospital following Coram shooting
CORAM, N.Y. -- A Suffolk County police officer was released from the hospital Thursday after he was shot in the line of duty last week.
There were salutes and cheers from hundreds of well wishers honoring Officer Michael LaFauci.
His fiancée and 17-month-old daughter were at his side as he left Stony Brook University Hospital in a wheelchair.
"We are blessed. We are just blessed," LaFauci's mother, Lori, said.
"We are good. We are smiling. He is on his way home," his grandfather added.
Among those giving their colleague a hero's greeting were the officers and medics who were with LaFauci on May 11 in Coram, when police say a known armed robbery suspect shot the undercover officer in the thigh, inches from major arteries and organs.
"I didn't have a tourniquet with me, so I took off my pants belt and tied it around his leg," Sgt. David Ferrara said.
"Immediately pulled up on scene and put the tourniquet on, went right to my training," medic Doug Gaul said.
"A 9 mm hollow point bullet designed to give maximum damage as it pulls rips and tears tissue went through him, and we are discharging him today," said Dr. James Vosswinkel, chief of trauma surgery at Stony Brook University Hospital.
Over the past decade, Vosswinkel has operated on and saved the lives of seven Suffolk County police officers severely injured in the line of duty.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I have frustration. I have anger that somebody shot one of my police officers," Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison said. "This is a dangerous job, one of the most difficult occupations in the country."
"It's emotional, emotional, this entire time," Ferrara said.
LaFauci's right leg is partially paralyzed and due to other complications, intense physical therapy lies ahead.
The 20-year-old suspect, who police say is an admitted Bloods gang member, is held without bail and due back in court next week.