PORT JEFFERSON, N.Y. (WCBS 880) — A newly-retired Suffolk County correction officer was released from the hospital on Tuesday after nearly a six-month battle with COVID-19.
Correction Officer Timothy Heaton tested positive for the virus just a few weeks prior to his retirement last September.
He was hospitalized with severe COVID complications and spent time in a medically-induced coma.
During his time in the hospital, Heaton not only marked his official retirement, but also became a grandfather.
His first grandchild, Haley, was born on Oct. 29.
"My dad was in the ICU at the time with a lot of uncertainty," Heaton's daughter said. "Things were very dim at that time and Haley was just a light throughout all of this for us as a family. She was just a joy and a pleasure. And she helped us get through the holidays and she gave my dad a lot of purpose and a big motive to help him get better, too."
As he left St. Charles Hospital in Port Jefferson on Tuesday, Heaton gave his new baby granddaughter a kiss on the head and shared a hopeful message for others battling the virus.
"Please, if you're sick never give up," Heaton said. "Where there's hope, there's life. Where there's life, there's hope."
Heaton thanked Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon and his colleagues who stood by him through his health battle.
The hospital noted in a Facebook post that Heaton's favorite U2 song, "Beautiful Day", was playing as staff and his fellow officers cheered him on.
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