Injured Police Officer Receives Warm Welcome Home

Suffolk County Police Officer Don Dillon, who was injured when his patrol car was struck on the LIE last month, received a warm welcome home from fellow officers Wednesday afternoon.

According to News 12, Dillon's wife, Christine, told him there might be "a few friends" at their home to greet him. Instead, Dillon was welcomed by dozens of his fellow SCPD officers, as well as friends and neighbors, who cheered when he was taken out of the ambulance.

"This is so overwhelming," Dillon said, according to Newsday. "I’m so grateful to the police, and friends and family. This is so much more than I deserve."

Dillon was on patrol when he was hit head-on by Louis Mancini Jr., 30, of West Babylon, police say. Mancini had allegedly stolen a 2013 GMC Yukon from Frank's Delicatessen on 1018 Little East Neck Road, police said, was driving at a high rate of speed northbound on Straight Path when he lost control of the car and crashed head on into the police car Dillon was driving southbound on Straight Path. Mancini was high at the time of the crash, police say.

Dillon, a 20-year SCPD veteran, suffered a broken leg, shattered pelvis and fractured hip in the crash, according to Newsday. He has months of physical therapy and recovery in front of him, but now he's home with his family.

Photo: Shari Einhorn/News 12