The former partner of slain Chicago police officer Ella French was treated to a celebratory hero's welcome when he emerged on Thursday from a rehabilitation facility where he spent the last two months recovering from injuries sustained in the line of duty.
Carlos Yanez Jr., 39, was left partially paralyzed and lost an eye in the August 7 shooting during a routine traffic stop that killed 29-year-old French.
A large crowd of well-wishers, including family members, fellow police officers and medical personnel, showed up outside the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab, a rehabilitation center in Chicago, to greet Yanez Jr. with cheers and applause.
Some people displayed homemade signs that read 'Carlos Strong' and featured photos of the officer, while others sported bracelets and T-shirts honoring Yanez Jr.
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Chicago police officer Carlos Yanez, Jr., 39, on Thursday left a rehabilitation facility in a wheelchair, two months after a deadly shooting that killed his partner, Ella French
Yanez Jr. was greeted with cheers and applause outside the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab
Yanez Jr. was greeted by a crowd of supporters. He waved and blew kisses at his well-wishers
While getting hugs from family and friends, Yanez Jr. was serenaded by a live mariachi band
Many supporters displayed homemade signs that read 'Carlos Strong'
The injured cop left the facility in a wheelchair, pressing his hand to his heart in an apparent gesture of gratitude, flashing the thumbs-up sign and blowing kisses to his many supporters as a live mariachi band and bagpipers serenaded him, CBS Chicago reported.
'All my family and friends, thank you for all the support,' he said.
Yanez Jr. singled out his colleagues who saved his life by rushing him to
