One month after a shooting left him paralyzed, Chicago Police Officer Danny Golden was celebrating with an Oreo McFlurry as he left a rehabilitation center Friday morning.
The 32-year-old officer left the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab to cheers and hugs from dozens of loved ones, colleagues and supporters. He was also greeted by his rescue dog, Marilyn, who gave him several eager kisses to show how much she’d missed him.
A procession followed from the center in Streeterville to the family’s Beverly neighborhood, where neighbors and well-wishers lined the streets.
Golden, a third-generation Chicago police officer, was left paralyzed after helping break up a fight at Sean’s Rhino Bar & Grill in Beverly while off duty. He was shot “dead center” in the back, with the bullet piercing his spine and lung.
The alleged shooter and two others have been charged.
“We’re just totally humbled by the support from this area,” said Patrick Golden, the officer’s father. “Everyone that’s shown up to help him and show him support is just incredible. I’ve never seen this before.”
While his recovery is expected to be long and he’s still in “a lot of pain,” Golden is optimistic for the future and has been planning his next moves.
“He wants to go back and get a master’s degree, which is incredible,” Patrick Golden said. “So to continue his education and just keep on moving on … I’m very proud.”
A physical therapy plan of five hours a day, five days a week is already in the works, his father said. But Golden already has motivation to keep at it.
“He’s getting married in October of 2023,” Patrick Golden said. “His goal is to walk down the aisle with his bride. This will not keep him down. He’s determined to live his life to the fullest.”
Aside from the McFlurry, the U.S. Army veteran had another request.
“All he wants is a barbecue,” his father laughed. “He said, ‘I don’t want nothing fancy, just give me a brat and an Italian sausage, and I want to see my friends and my family that supported me through this.’”
