Wounded officer feels 'wonderful'
Coeur d’Alene Police Chief Lee White celebrated patrol officer Charles Hatley’s release from Kootenai Health Friday. (Judd Wilson/PRESS)
Coeur d’Alene Police patrol officer Charles Hatley was released from Kootenai Health Friday with dozens of his fellow first responders in attendance. (Judd Wilson/PRESS)
A Coeur d’Alene Police Department spokesman said Kootenai Health’s medical staff was instrumental in patrol officer Charles Hatley’s good condition. (Judd Wilson/PRESS)
Coeur d’Alene Police patrol officer Charles Hatley is escorted out of Kootenai Health Friday by colleagues and his wife after recovering from a gunshot incurred in the line of duty Tuesday night. (Judd Wilson/PRESS)
Coeur d’Alene Police patrol officer Charles Hatley waved goodbye to Kootenai Health and headed home Friday after recovering from a gunshot incurred in the line of duty Tuesday night. (Judd Wilson/PRESS)
Coeur d’Alene Police officer Charles Hatley is escorted out of Kootenai Health Friday morning. Hatley was shot in the abdomen after exchanging gunfire with Curtis Ware after a traffic stop Tuesday night in Coeur d’Alene. (LOREN BENOIT/Press)
Fellow Coeur d’Alene Police officers show their support as officer Charles Hatley is escorted out of Kootenai Health Friday morning. (LOREN BENOIT/Press)
Coeur d’Alene Police Officer Charles Hatley is pictured here, second from right, on Dec. 8, 2017, the night he graduated from police academy. (Courtesy photo)
By JUDD WILSON
Hagadone News Network
COEUR d’ALENE — Coeur d’Alene Police patrol officer Charles Hatley emerged from Kootenai Health Friday morning to the cheers and warm embrace of his community. Scores of law enforcement officers and fire department personnel were on hand as the police trainee bade farewell to the hospital.
Hatley was shot once Tuesday night by three-time felon Curtis Ware. When officers tried to arrest Ware on an outstanding felony warrant, Ware allegedly opened fire. Ware died when officers returned fire, Coeur d’Alene Police Chief Lee White said Wednesday. Hatley was shot once through the gunbelt on his left side before being rushed to Kootenai Health.
Hatley thanked the community for the outpouring of support for him and his family.
“It’s extremely overwhelming,” he said, “and it means more than any of you guys know.”
He said he had received many encouraging messages and cards, including some funny cards from kids that helped lighten up things for him. He said the work of the medical staff had enabled him to recover very well. Hatley thanked his fellow officers for helping him get through this difficult time.
“I’ve only been here a little bit of time prior to this incident and I got to witness how big the law enforcement community really is,” Hatley said. “It’s awesome. You guys are very supportive. I couldn’t ask for anything else.”
Hatley singled out his wife for her support, calling her and their newborn baby his greatest sources of strength.
While leaving the hospital to head home, Hatley said he felt “wonderful.”
Coeur d’Alene Police Detective Jared Reneau said Hatley’s brothers in arms felt the same way.
“I don’t think we could be happier,” Reneau said. “We are very grateful to the Kootenai Medical staff and happy for officer Hatley and his family.”
Reneau added that everyone looked forward to seeing Hatley eventually return back to patrol.