Chicago Police Officer Danny Golden welcomed home from rehab by hundreds along route
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago Police Officer Danny Golden received the homecoming of a lifetime from family, friends and those who've never even met him.
Golden was left partially paralyzed after he was shot while breaking up a fight outside a bar in Beverly while he was off-duty.
Golden was speechless as he left the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab rehab center to roaring applause, bagpipes and warm embraces from those closest to him.
His first order of business? Hitting McDonald's for a McFlurry.
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Golden was escorted home in a massive police convoy that stretched from downtown south to Mt. Greenwood, where resident Tricia Ryan was waiting along 103rd Street.
"There's not many places like this because everyone truly gets out there to show the support and I think it's really uplifting," Ryan said.
It was the simple and kind gestures, like a gas station sign on the corner of 111th and Talman that read, "Welcome Home Danny," that speak volumes about the Beverly community.
A child in military fatigues waved an American flag from a car and Brother Rice students cheered for Golden, showing the heart of this community.
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Golden's father, Patrick, was at a loss for words.
"We're just totally humbled by the support from this area," Patrick Golden said. "I can't say enough. Totally humbled. Everybody that's shown up and helped him out, that's prayed for him."
Chopper 7HD showed the sheer size of this unforgettable procession and the pride in their first responders.
"We are a very proud community here and family, friends, people who protect us are very important to us," neighbor Sean Shumard said.
Shumard said the seemingly endless response to Officer Golden's homecoming is a testament to the Mt. Greenwood and Beverly community.
"It tells us that we moved to the right community," he said.
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Officer Golden still has a long road ahead of him, but it's his contagious smile and upbeat spirit that's a reminder to all of us.
"You can't let things get you down," Patrick Golden said. "He's going to get through it."
Golden's father said his son will be in rehab for about five hours per day, five days per week.
Video of Officer Golden showed him taking some steps with the help of a walker. His father said Golden is working tirelessly to walk down the aisle at his wedding.
"This is such a wonderful story. You mark my words: Danny Golden is gonna walk again," 19th Ward Ald. Matt O'Shea said. "Danny Golden is going to continue to serve on the Chicago Police Department. Danny Golden is gonna marry his sweetheart. Next October, he's gonna make his way down that aisle."
In the meantime, he said he planned to enjoy a small backyard BBQ with his family and friends.
