COP LEAVES HOSPITAL
Officer Tony Lopez Jr. was critically injured in a shootout in early December after a traffic stop.
In the back of the ambulance, as paramedics and fellow officers told him hewas stronger than the five bullets that had ripped through his body, all police Officer Tony Lopez Jr. could think about was his unborn baby.
“Making sure I stayed awake so I could meet my baby” Lopez said.
Now, three weeks and three surgeries after he was critically injured in a shootout in West Denver, Lopez’s unborn child will help drive his recovery.
Lopez, 30, was released from Denver Health on Thursday afternoon. The seven- year veteran of the Denver Police Department was shot multiple times after making a traffic stop near Federal Boulevard and Clyde Place on Dec. 8.
“I’m grateful for everybody, for every person who got me here,” Lopez said at a news conference before leaving the hospital.
Bright green sneakers popped out from underneath the Broncos track suit Lopez was wearing. His wife, Kristen, sat next to him as he thanked the hospital staff and paramedics for saving his life.
Through a nervous smile, Lopez said he was excited to see his dog and be home again with his wife. He’s eager to put his uniform back on.
Lopez pulled his wife’s chair close to the wheelchair he was sitting in as he spoke about the recovery in front of him.
His left foot has yet to regain full feeling. Struggling to find a balance point makes it difficult to stand and walk, he said.
But Lopez has a May 5 due date he cannot miss.
“I am going to walk my baby to the car,” Lopez said.
Lopez Jr. followed his father’s footsteps in joining the Denver Police Department. His father,
“I’m grateful for everybody, for every person who got me here.” Injured Denver police Officer Tony Lopez Jr., at a news conference before he left a hospital
Tony Lopez Sr., is the commander of District 6, which covers downtown Denver. His son has been an officer since 2008 and is assigned to a Special Crime Attack Teamin northwest Denver.
Lopez Jr. had no words for the man accused of shooting him.
Jason Wood, 36, has been charged with attempted murder, two counts of first- degree assault and one count of robbery.
Wood was treated for a gunshot wound to his ankle.
Hours after the shooting, Wood was arrested following a brief chase after a carjacking in the drive- through window of a US Bank on the 3400 block of West 38th Avenue.
Police say he was wanted on a warrant in a home invasion case.
On Thursday, officers lined the small hallway that led out of the hospital. As Lopez approached, applause and smiles broke out.
And, once again surrounded by officers reminding him of his strength and courage, Lopez left the hospital.