For the first time, members of the trauma team that helped save an Atlantic City police officer who was critically wounded in a shooting are sharing details about the lifesaving effort. Atlantic City Police Sgt. Christian Ivanov suffered severe injuries on June 2, 2026, when a suspect opened fire as SWAT teams attempted to execute a search warrant. Authorities said police shot and killed the suspect during the encounter. A second officer’s helmet was struck by a bullet. Doctors at AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center said Ivanov arrived at the hospital just four minutes after he was shot. “Immediately on arrival, we were able to access the blood in the blood bank,” AtlantiCare Trauma Program Director Rachael Galego said. According to doctors, a gunshot wound to Ivanov’s groin damaged his femoral artery and vein, injuries that can cause rapid blood loss. “When he came to us, he truly was at Death’s Door and it really was only going to be a matter of minutes before we lost him,” AtlantiCare Trauma Medical Director Dr. Kelly Willman said. Medical staff said every second was critical. “Every second that went by was life or death. It took about 12 minutes from the time we were notified to get him into the operating room,” Galego said. Doctors also credited Ivanov’s fellow SWAT officers for helping save his life before he reached the hospital. Instead of waiting for an ambulance, team members transported him directly to the trauma center. “He had the advantage of having his team members with him that knew how to stop the bleed,” Galego said. “They helped save his life even en route to the hospital,” Gemma Downham of AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center said. Ivanov underwent two emergency surgeries on the day of the shooting. Doctors said he was taken off a ventilator the following morning and has made remarkable progress in his recovery. “I cannot believe the fast and amazing recovery that he has had,” Willman said. Atlantic City council members are expected to honor the medical experts involved in Ivanov’s care for their extraordinary work. This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC Philadelphia. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC Philadelphia journalist edited the article for publication. ...read more read less