Last wounded Philadelphia police officer released from hospital after weekend shooting

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- The last of three Philadelphia police officers shot in the line of duty last weekend was released from the hospital Friday, greeted by an outpouring of support from fellow officers outside Penn Presbyterian Hospital.

Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said the moment was meant to highlight the work officers do and the impact it has.

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The release drew a large crowd of officers, creating what Bethel described as an overwhelming show of solidarity. As the officer sat in the car, fellow officers embraced him through the window as he smiled and shook hands. The scene nearly brought him to tears.

"The officer, he held it on, but he's ready to cry. He has to see that his work matters and how important he is," Bethel said.

The 30-year-old officer was the last of three to be released after the group was shot Saturday night in the city's Wynnefield neighborhood. The other two officers were released earlier in the week and returned to the hospital on Friday to support their colleague.

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"I am so proud to be leading this organization. I'm so proud to have those men and women working for me," Bethel said.

Police said the officers were responding to reports of a vehicle struck by gunfire when video shows 57-year-old Eric Franks confronting them and opening fire. One officer was hit in the face, another in the hip and the third in the leg. Despite their injuries, police said the officers were able to return fire, killing Franks.

"He has a long road because in his case, the bullet hit his femur and caused significant damage," Bethel said, referring to the officer released Friday.

He will continue his recovery at home, surrounded by friends and family. Bethel said the healing process includes addressing the psychological toll of the shooting.

"When you're in those situations. The trauma that comes from that is significant. So we will give them that time to walk through that process," he said.

Police have not released the names of the officers, but officials said they are anxiously awaiting their return to the force.