NYPD officers who have survived attacks are now recovering at home
Earlier this week, two NYPD officers were involved in a deadly shooting in Queens. They were able to go home to their families just in time for Thanksgiving.
As they were wheeled out of Jamaica Medical Center on Thursday morning, hundreds of police officers and the top brass of the force clapped and cheered for Police Officer Joseph Murphy and Police Officer Christopher Wells. The Pipes and Drums Band of the Department played for them too.
Wells’ wife carried her bundled two-week-old child in her arms as she walked to a waiting van by his side.
There, too was Murphy’s mom. They heard earlier this week that she was anticipating it the New York Post reported.
“I’m looking forward to going home and spending time with my family, sit down with the people I love and enjoy a meal,” Murphy said, according to the Post. “I’m extra thankful.”
Wells and Murphy escorted her home to Springfield Gardens after a woman reported a domestic abuse incident to the police at the 105th Precinct house on Tuesday so she could collect her belongings and leave. But Rondell Goppy, her husband, ambushed them within minutes of their arrival, killing both officers, the police said. They shot back, putting Goppy to death.
Wells, 36 years old, was hit in the thigh. He went through surgery because of a fractured femur. Murphy, 33, had his hands injured. He had to undergo surgery, as well.
“We’re just so grateful that these officers are going to be able to get home today, sit on the couch hopefully watching football with their beautiful families,” Police Commissioner Dermot Shea said outside the hospital on Thursday. “And it’s not lost on us really how lucky we are.”
The department said Well joined the NYPD in 2007 and Murphy joined in 2015. They are assigned to the 105th Precinct, which encompasses many neighbourhoods along the border with Nassau County in eastern Queens.
Goppy served at CUNY City College as a peace officer and had a license to carry a weapon, Shea said Tuesday at a press conference. When he ambushed Wells and Murphy, he was carrying two handguns.
