3 in custody after off-duty CPD Officer Danny Golden shot, paralyzed during Beverly altercation

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Three people of interest are in custody after an off-duty Chicago police officer was shot during an altercation on the Far South Side Saturday.

The officer has been identified as Danny Golden. His 32nd birthday is Monday. He was shot in the back and is now paralyzed from the waist down and recovering at Christ Hospital.

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"He's a cop's cop. He's been on the police force for six years, going on seven. He's an Army veteran," said Liam Hopkins, friend.

The incident began with an altercation between two groups in a bar early Saturday morning in Beverly. It spilled out on Western Avenue near Aldermen Matt O'Sheas office.

The alderman said Golden, who was off-duty, tried to break up the altercation. O'Shea said during the fight, Golden announced he was a Chicago police officer. Bullets then rang out. A neighbor's Ring camera caught the gunshots.

"I believe he saved lives that night getting people away as this individual was spraying the crowd with gun fire... machine gun," O'Shea said.

"All he's done his whole life was selflessly give to others and care for others," Hopkins said.

Friends, family and the community are now rallying around Golden.

"He's got a group of us, an army, behind him," Hopkins said.

Golden's fiancee said it was a miracle he survived, especially after doctors told her the bullet lodged between his lungs and heart missed his valve one 1 millimeter. She said he is in good spirits as he recovers.

Some have been calling for more officers to patrol the area.