Hero Police Officer Comes Home After Horror Of Being Shot In Head

MANORVILLE, NY —A police officer who was shot in the head in Colorado Springs in August came home to Manorville Tuesday.

Cem Duzel, 31, who grew up in Manorville and graduated from Westhampton Beach High School, was a a five-year veteran of the Colorado Springs Police Department when he was shot in the head and critically injured while in the line of duty in August, 2018, according to a Newsday report.

Duzel is a miracle: He survived his injuries and returned back to Long Island, to the place where loved ones waited eagerly to welcome him back into the warmth of their embrace.

"Today, on his 32nd birthday, Officer Cem Duzel took a major step in his journey towards recovery," the Colorado Springs Police Department said. "Earlier this morning, Officer Duzel and his family boarded a plane for New York, where he will spend the next few months undergoing rehabilitation therapy in the comfort of his home state. Before his flight, friends, family, and officers had the opportunity to say goodbye to Officer Duzel as he left his Craig Hospital room in Englewood for the last time."

According to the Colorado Springs police, scores of officers lined the hospital halls to bid him farewell.

"There were cheers, salutes, tears, and public supporters waving flags in the crowd," police said.

Colorado Police also said Duzel, who still has a long road ahead, has shown "great courage."

They added that the public is welcomed to join them in encouraging Duzel's hero, wrestling star John Cena, to visit him; Duzel thanked Cena in a Facebook video for his shoutout.

"Saying goodbye to a fellow officer, a friend, a hero, is never easy; however, we know that this trip to New York signifies a major milestone in his journey towards recovery. We will you miss you, Cem, and cannot wait to see you again. Until then, warrior on!" Colorado Springs Police said.

A Facebook post by Stringer News said Duzel's father called his son's progress "nothing short of a miracle."