The hero cop who killed a violent career criminal despite being injured in a shootout on Tuesday night was walked out of Jamaica Hospital to the applause of more than 200 of New York’s finest.
NYPD officer Rich Wong, a seven-year veteran of the force, was shot in the thigh by ex-con Gary Worthy after committing two armed robberies in Jamaica – but managed to avoid the fatal shots that would have stopped him. Gave. Crime spree, police said.
Wong’s colleagues from the 103rd Precinct made up the majority of the honor guard, which was accompanied by mounted police.
The injured officer, who was accompanied by his mother and his girlfriend, agreed when asked how he was feeling.
“He didn’t know what he was going to do,” NYPD PBA Chairman Patrick Hendry said outside the hospital on Wednesday. “He didn’t know he was going to face a dangerous, evil individual who had been arrested 17 times – and one of those arrests was for murder.
“He did not think twice about shooting the NYPD police officer, but we are grateful for the skill of our police officer, who was able to respond and stop the threat.”
Worthy, 57, allegedly robbed a bodega and a smoke shop on Guy Brewer Boulevard just after 5:30 p.m., when Wong was called to the scene.
The fatal confrontation occurred about an hour later, when Wong encountered Worthy near the corner of Jamaica Avenue and 160th Street, with the former thief opening fire and striking police and a bystander.
Despite being wounded, the hero soldier opened fire and hit Worthy in the face.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The incident has raised questions about why Worthy remained on the streets without bail despite being on lifetime parole, with three open cases in Queens.
“They need to say someone is on parole for life. You’re arrested, you’re remanded,” Hendry said. “You assault a New York City police officer, you are remanded until the case is over. You shoot a New York City police officer, you are taken on remand.
“We urge all New Yorkers to stand united with all police officers.”
(TagstoTranslate)Metro(T)US News(T)New York City(T)NYPD(T)Shootings
