Community welcomes Pueblo officer home from hospital
Apr 12, 2025
(PUEBLO, Colo.) — There was plenty of love and gratitude felt along Main Street in downtown Pueblo on Saturday, April 12.
"I got to honor this guy," said Chuck Snow, who lives in Pueblo West.
A Pueblo Police Officer received an honor escort home after spending nearly a month in the hospital
following the March 18 shooting that wounded two other officers and left the suspect dead.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Honor escort to be hosted for third Pueblo PD officer injured in March shooting
More than one hundred people lined the streets, cheering and holding up signs to show their support as a procession of emergency vehicles accompanied the officer down Main Street in a special "welcome home" hosted by the City of Pueblo and the Pueblo Police Department.
Courtesy: FOX21 News Photojournalist Hunter PhippsCourtesy: FOX21 News Photojournalist Hunter PhippsCourtesy: FOX21 News Photojournalist Hunter PhippsCourtesy: FOX21 News Photojournalist Hunter PhippsCourtesy: FOX21 News Photojournalist Hunter PhippsCourtesy: FOX21 News Photojournalist Hunter PhippsCourtesy: FOX21 News Photojournalist Hunter PhippsCourtesy: FOX21 News Photojournalist Hunter Phipps
The other two officers had previously been released from the hospital, making this officer the last to rejoin friends and family at home.
Nicole Valdez, who told FOX21 News that she is a close friend of one of the officers involved, is grateful that all three made it through. "For all three of them to survive that is a miracle in itself, and we thank God for that," Valdez said.
A helicopter was hovering above as the patrol cars and SWAT trucks passed through the town with people clapping and cheering. Many in attendance were holding signs saying "thank you" or "we love you," all while the officer was escorted towards two fire trucks holding up the American flag.
Snow brought his own flag to show his support and couldn't help but feel the pride in seeing the community do the same.
"With everything going on in the world today, it's good to see something like this," Snow said. "I'm sure there's Republicans, Democrats, whoever but just to see people show up and honor a guy that took a bullet, it's a good feeling all around."
Valdez could also sense the support from the community as the officer passed through town.
"We felt like everyone was coming together for one cause," Valdez said. "It's such a great feeling." ...read more read less