Wounded Milwaukee Police Officer Returns Home

MILWAUKEE -- A Milwaukee police offer who was shot multiple times while he was sitting in his squad car investigating a domestic violence call on Sunday was saluted by hundreds of his fellow officer as he left the hospital on Wednesday.

Brandon Baranowski, a 13-year veteran of the Milwaukee Police Department, was joined by his wife, two young sons and his parents as hundreds of fellow officers lined the walkway outside the hospital as the family - and their officer dad and spouse, took their first steps toward recovering at home.

Milwaukee Police Chief Edward Flynn visited the officer, Baranowski, on Tuesday at the hospital, presenting him with MPD's Purple Valor award, and wishing him well as his healing process begins.

"I want to express my thanks to the community, law enforcement partners and all those who have given me and my family the support, prayers and well-wishes during this difficult time," Baranowski said, according to a Journal Sentinel report. "This truly means a lot to me, especially to have you here today."

He gave special thanks to the officers, detectives and firefighters who helped him the night of the shooting and the doctors and staff at Froedtert who cared for him.

The man who shot him, Tomas Uriegas, was reportedly out on bail for a violent felony charge at the time of the Sunday shooting, after he posted a $500 cash bond in an April 2016 aggravated battery case. According to a report from WTMJ, Uriegas was arrested for injuring the man who helped to raise him.

image creidt: MPD via Facebook