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CORAL SPRINGS (CBSMiami) -- A Coral Springs Police officer was back on duty Wednesday and got a pleasant surprise.

Officer Michael Zorrilla was surprised when he returned to work after a year-long deployment in Africa.

In a patriotic ceremony, the police department employees and residents welcomed him back - some holding American flags to honor him.

Zorrilla returned the warm welcome, hugging and shaking hands with those who were there to greet him.

"When I pulled in, I was like somethings up because the motorcycle cops are here and then I saw the lights on from way down the road and I was like oh they did something," said Zorrilla. "I was just a little bit horrified, a little bit embarrassed but very proud too."