LAPD Swat Officer Shot By Suspect Honors Surgeons, Nurses At California Hospital
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — An LAPD SWAT officer shot by a suspect in August returned to California Hospital on Wednesday to thank the team who helped saved his critically injured leg.
Officer Nelson Fong was joined by his SWAT team at the California Hospital Trauma Center for the center's 10th anniversary celebration.
The 23-year LAPD veteran was shot in the leg on Aug. 18 by one of two pursuit suspects who led authorities on a dangerous chase in South LA that involved several exchanges of gunfire.
Fong was taken to California Hospital, where he underwent surgery to repair a bone shattered by the bullet.
He returned to the hospital to thank the surgeons and nurses who saved his leg.
KCAL9's Dave Lopez spoke with Fong at the ceremony, who said the hospital employees had his best interest at heart.
"Four months ago, I was wounded by a man that was intent on killing as many police officers as possible," Fong said.
"I never thought I was going to die, but I knew my leg was bad," he added.
LA City Attorney Mike Feuer was also present at the ceremony to honor those who cared for him after he was injured in a car accident.
California Hospital is the busiest private trauma center in Los Angeles County. Since opening in 2004, the center has cared for more than 22,000 trauma patients and saved thousands of lives.
RELATED STORY: 1 Suspect Dead, Officer Injured Following Pursuit, 'Running Gun Battle' In South LA
