Philadelphia police officer shot in the line of duty cheered on as he leaves the hospital

Dozens of fellow officers were lined up as Officer Giovanni Maysonet was driven from Penn Presbyterian Medical Center.

By6abc Digital Staff WPVI logo

Wednesday, March 15, 2023

Philly officer shot in the line of duty cheered as he leaves hospital

A Philadelphia police officer who was shot in the line of duty was released from the hospital on Tuesday afternoon.

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A Philadelphia police officer shot in the line of duty has been released from the hospital five weeks after his injury.

Officer Giovanni Maysonet left Penn Presbyterian Hospital Tuesday afternoon to find the street lined with family, friends, and fellow officers, celebrating his release.

"This is what it's all about. This is what we've been praying for all month. God does answer prayers and surely today. It's windy out but it's a very beautiful day," said Captain Lawrence Nuble Jr, who leads the 19th District.

Police say on February 8, the 32-year-old officer was conducting a traffic stop on the 200 block of North 60th Street in West Philadelphia when a suspect shot him with a gun inside his hoodie.

One bullet went in his stomach and through his back.

A chilling radio call followed.

"Tell my family I love them if I don't make it," Maysonet said.

"It was bone-chilling, but at the same time we had to move. Officers responded to that location with those heavy hearts and we were able to put processes in place to catch the offender shortly thereafter," said Nuble.

Maysonet's partner drove him to the hospital and, five weeks later, shook the hands of his team in the 19th District who came to celebrate the injured officer's release.

Chopper 6 over West Philadelphia where police officer was shot on Feb. 8, 2023.

"It's not over. We tend to forget about our officers who are injured once they're released from the hospital. There's subsequent surgeries, there's relearning how to do things again, it's living a completely different life," said Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw.

It will be a long road to recovery, but there's been community support.

His district raised hundreds of dollars selling rally towels with his name and the Fraternal Order of Police is holding a fundraiser for him on June 3.