CHICAGO (WLS) — Tons of of individuals attended a prayer service at St. Rita Thursday night time for a Chicago police officer who was shot and paralyzed whereas attempting to interrupt up a battle whereas he was off-duty.

Among the many attendees was the household of Chicago Police Officer Danny Golden. Golden watched the service remotely and recorded a message for individuals who attened.

“I am working arduous to get again on the market,” he stated within the video. “Thanks for every part. To my household and buddies, thanks for every part.”

His father stated Golden’s chest tube was eliminated Thursday as he continues to get well at Christ Hospital in Oak Garden.

“He will be with us. He will be watching from his hospital room. We wish him to see the outpouring of affection and assist and hope,” stated Father Tom Mccarthy with St, Rita of Cascia Excessive Faculty.

Officer Golden’s ties to St. Rita’s Excessive Faculty run deep. Father McCarthy is a longtime good friend of the household and has been in shut contact with them because the taking pictures early Saturday morning when Golden tried to interrupt up a battle that broke out inside Beverly’s Sean Rhino’s bar earlier than spilling out onto the road.

The prayer service is as a lot for Golden as it’s for his family members, Fr. McCarthy stated.

“Danny would need this, for all of this household and buddies to offer hope. Additionally, that we’re all on this collectively, that as brothers and sisters we now have to be right here to assist one another,” Fr. McCarthy added.

3 charged in Beverly taking pictures that paralyzed off-duty CPD officer

Briefly wheeled out of the hospital to greet well-wishers on Tuesday, Golden appeared in good spirits, whilst a bullet stays lodged between his lungs.

A six-year veteran of the Chicago Police Division who additionally served within the Military for 4 years, Golden has been described by family members as nothing wanting a hero.
“It is simply one thing that is unexplainable,” Casey Szaflarski, Officer Golden’s fiancée, stated. “Type of like a nightmare.”

Szaflarski stated she’s nonetheless attempting to wrap her head round what occurred.

Golden was off-duty Saturday when he stepped in to cease a battle between a gaggle of males at Sean’s Rhino Bar in Beverly.

Prosecutors stated 19 shell casings had been recovered from the scene. Golden was shot within the again whereas a second man was shot within the leg.

“He is one of many strongest individuals I’ve ever met in my total life,” Szaflarski stated. “He was instructed he may by no means stroll once more and all he retains speaking about is he is simply pleased he was capable of de-escalate the state of affairs from different individuals getting damage.”

Whereas the third-generation police officer’s life won’t ever be the identical, his fiancée stated Golden doesn’t remorse intervening within the battle that led to his accidents.

“He is one of many strongest individuals I’ve ever met in my total life,” Szaflarski stated. “He was instructed he may by no means stroll once more and all he retains speaking about is he is simply pleased he was capable of deescalate the state of affairs from different individuals getting damage.”
Officer Golden and Szaflarski are set to get married in October 2023. Their lives now modified ceaselessly by the incident, however the two strongly consider he was meant to be there.

“I do know in my coronary heart different individuals would’ve been damage if not lifeless and he does too,” Szaflarski. “He took that function as an officer and his responsibility was to guard everybody there that night time.”

nineteenth Ward Alderman Matt O’Shea stated Thursday Golden is meant to return to service as a police officer after his restoration.

“Understanding this younger man. You mark my phrases. He will probably be again in uniform with the Chicago Police Division in some capability,” O’Shea stated.

Whereas many have reached out in assist, there is not any scarcity of different kindness. The neighborhood rallied to lift greater than $1 million by means of a GoFundMe for his restoration.

Star NFL quarterback Tom Brady even chimed in with a number of phrases of assist for the officer.

“What’s up Danny…so sorry to listen to about what you are going by means of and simply know fascinated about you….respect all of your arduous work and your dedication to service,” Brady stated within the video.

Golden was usually seen in the neighborhood enjoying basketball or leaping rope with youngsters.

“I simply need everybody to know he is a hero,” Szaflarski stated.

Three males have been charged and are being held in reference to the taking pictures, which permits his family members to deal with Golden’s restoration.

Officer Carlos Yañez, who was injured within the line of responsibility final Summer season when his companion, Ella French was killed, additionally attended the prayer service.