ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — An Atlantic City police officer was released from the hospital after being shot in the line of duty earlier this month.
Dozens of police officers greeted Sgt. Christian Ivanov with thunderous applause as he was wheeled out of AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center Thursday morning.
On June 2, two Atlantic City police officers were shot while serving a search warrant at a home near Florida and Arctic avenues. The suspect, 52-year-old Donald Gardner, opened fire, hitting Ivanov and another officer. A third officer then shot and killed Gardner.
The other injured officer was treated and released soon after. Ivanov was shot in the groin, which severed his femoral artery. His doctor said he’s lucky to be alive.
“The amount of blood that you lose from an injury like that is very significant,” said Dr. Kelly Willman. “If his teammates, his fellow officers, did not have the forethought to apply pressure the way that they did before getting him here, I don’t think he would have even made it to us.”
Atlantic City Police Chief James Sarkos said it’s heartwarming to see all of the officers — some who traveled from as far as Sparta, New Jersey — who came to support Ivanov.
“I’ve gotten letters from law enforcement agencies all around the country showing their support. It does make me feel the love,” Sarkos said. “That’s one of the things I love about our profession. It truly is a brotherhood; it truly is a sisterhood.”
Ivanov was taken by ambulance to a rehabilitation facility, where he will be doing five to six hours of rehab each day until he’s fully recovered.
Doctor says he would have bled out if not for quick actions of his fellow officers
Doctor says he would have bled out if not for quick actions of his fellow officers
