Fort Worth

Injured Fort Worth Police Sgt. Home From Hospital

Sgt. Shane Drake Left Harris Methodist Hospital on Wednesday

An injured Fort Worth Police officer is now at home after spending nearly two weeks in the hospital for gunshot wounds in the line of duty.

Sgt. Shane Drake left Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital on Wednesday afternoon after he was shot twice on Jan. 29.

Drake and other officers were responding to a welfare check call at a home on Hildring Drive in southwest Fort Worth. A mother wanted police to check on her adult son in a bedroom, when the man open fired hitting Drake. Officers returned fire and killed the suspect.

Drake suffered gunshot wounds to his left hand and lower abdomen. That second injury was one that could have turned fatal if not for the tactical medical kits officers carry in their vehicles. The quick application of that device likely saved Drake's life.

As the well respected member of the department left the hospital Wednesday, he was greeted by applause, salutes and cheers from police officers and hospital staff who lined Fifth Avenue to send Drake off with support.

"His journey of healing isn't over, but this is a wonderful milestone," said interim Fort Worth Police Chief Rhonda Robertson.

The night Drake was wounded, the Fort Worth Police Department tweeted out a call for prayers and as the sergeant left the hospital it appeared those prayers were answered.

"I think the best message we can show him is that we care," said Sgt. Steve Enright. "There's not a person here who won't do something for him. He's own of our own. He's a family member. He's a family member not just to the police department but the community itself."

Members of the community also joined in the salute, as hospital workers and family of other patients joined in the applause.

"A lot of community support for our police department, they do a fantastic job," said Monika Decker, a nurse at the hospital.

Assembled officers had just a few hours notice that Drake was heading home, but they wanted to show their support.

His family wanted to pass along a message of thanks to fellow officers and the community. Drake and his wife politely waived to the crowd as they got into their vehicle.

"He’s excited to get home. We were joking early about getting to sleep in his own bed tonight and what a wonderful feeling that’s going to be," Chief Robertson said.

Drake's time line to full recovery and back to being on duty isn't set, but the department said his leaving the hospital was a big step.

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