Aurora Cop Returns To Work On Anniversary Of Pratt Shooting

AURORA, IL — Aurora Police Officer Marco Gomez was nearly fatally wounded after he ran into a hail of gunfire after a shooter opened fire at Henry Pratt Manufacturing. Feb. 15 will mark the anniversary of that fateful day, but it will also be the day Gomez returns to work, Aurora Police Chief Kristen Ziman wrote in a Facebook post.

Gomez and Officer Jason Russell were the first to get to the scene of the shooting, Ziman wrote. She added that Gomez was hit "several times" after he and Russell "selflessly ran towards the gunfire." Gomez's injury was so severe that "he would have bled out at the scene if he hadn't been rescued by APD officers who provided suppression fire and a transport to the ER," Ziman wrote.

Gomez has been gunning to get back to work, so Ziman was could hardly contain her excitement when doctors gave him the go-ahead to return to work on Feb. 15, 2020.

When Gomez walks through the doors of the Aurora Police Department on that day, it will certainly be a triumphant new beginning after a very long year.