The police officer critically wounded in the West Philly shooting was released from the hospital after two weeks
Philadelphia Police Officer Hector Rodriguez III was released from the hospital on Saturday, after being critically wounded in a West Philadelphia shooting on Oct. 10 that killed his partner.
The police officer who was critically wounded by a gunman in West Philadelphia was released from the hospital on Saturday, two weeks after the shooting that killed his partner.
Officer Hector Rodriguez III, who was shot 12 times during the Oct. 10 gunfire, was released from Penn Presbyterian Medical Center just after 11 a.m. More than a hundred fellow Philadelphia police officers saluted Rodriguez, a 33-year-old father of five, as he exited the hospital doors.
Rodriguez, a nine-year veteran of the department, was emotional as he took in the show of support, said First Deputy Commissioner John Stanford. The officer placed a hand over his chest while the crowd, which included hospital staff, clapped and cheered.
“Great sadness brought us here,” Stanford said, “but you see great joy today.”
Rodriguez and his partner, Officer Shane Sieber, were responding to an early-morning 911 call about a person with a gun, when Eric Lewis fired upon them, police have said. Lewis, 35, then retreated into the shadowy alley behind the property, triggering a standoff with a swarm of responding officers before he surrendered.
Seiber, 40, was shot three times and died from his injuries. At his funeral on Tuesday — which Rodriguez left the hospital to attend — Seiber was remembered as a family man and patriot who brightened rooms just by being in them.
» READ MORE: Slain Philadelphia Police Officer Shane Seiber honored by hundreds at funeral services
Stanford said Rodriguez was headed to the “next phase of recovery” as he left the hospital in a police-escorted ambulance.
“It’s going to be a long road for him,” the deputy commissioner said. “We’re going to be behind him 100% as he goes through that process.”
The alleged gunman, Lewis, is charged with murder, attempted murder, and related state crimes in connection with the shooting. This week, authorities also lodged federal firearm charges against Lewis.
The shooting — and revelations that Lewis was acquitted in a prior murder case — has stunned the city’s law enforcement community and exacerbated tensions between police and District Attorney Larry Krasner.
Meanwhile, Stanford thanked the city for its support of the department and asked people to pray for Rodriguez, Seiber, and their families.
“It fills your heart with joy ... to see that type of support,” Stanford said. “[Rodriguez] needs that and it was good for him to see.
“You feel that love that folks are giving you.”
