Denver Police Chief Honors Paramedics Who Saved Officer's Life

DENVER (CBS4)- The Denver Police Department honored two paramedics who are credited with saving the life of Officer Tony Lopez Jr. after he was shot multiple times earlier this month.

Police Chief Robert White gave paramedics Courtney Strong and Dustin Morgan honorary police badges as well as letters of commendation for their quick action.

It took the team only 11 minutes to get Lopez from the shooting scene into surgery at Denver Health Medical Center.

Morgan and Strong were the first to arrive on scene and found Lopez who was critically wounded and losing a lot of blood. The paramedics also credit a police officer who first applied a tourniquet to his leg and their training that helped save his life.

Lopez's father, Denver Police District 6 Cmdr. Tony Lopez Sr. says his son is ready to get back to work.

"The kid was up and walking within eight-nine days of this and he's bound and determined to wear that Denver badge. Being a Denver Police Officer, it's his dream, and he cannot wait to go out and protect and serve our community.

Lopez will be promoted to sergeant next month.

Lopez also thanked the paramedics and the officer who placed the first tourniquet, "They gave him the best chance to get to the hospital."

EMS workers are currently training all 1,500 Denver Police officers how to apply a tourniquet to help save lives.

Strong said meeting Lopez was an amazing day, "What really hit home is when we met him, that kind of brought it all together for us, being able to look into his eyes and have a conversation... it was an experience that I could never even... I can't put it into words. He's amazing and it was such an honor to meet him. We really want to lift him up today."

White said it's easy to take paramedics for granted and that's why it was so important to praise their efforts. White also had plenty of praise for the dispatchers, officers and staff at Denver Health.

One suspect, Wood, was arrested after a short chase following the shooting and another person of interest, Melinda Espinoza, turned herself into police. Wood has been charged with attempted first-degree murder.