Police officers put their lives on the line every day when they show up for work. They never know what a day will bring them, or who will cross their path. Police officers deal with some of the most dangerous situations and rescue countless lives while keeping our cities and roads safe. But sometimes, things happen that can bring their lives to a screeching halt.
Officer Cem Duzel was shot in the head.
Officer Cem Duzel served on the police force in Colorado Springs, Colorado. An officer for the Colorado Springs Police Department, Officer Duzel sadly encountered an armed suspect who shot him in the head in August of 2018.
The suspect had reportedly become enraged after being refused an Uber ride. Officer Duzel was critically wounded and spent weeks in the hospital recovering. He had served on the force for five years and the community held a vigil for him where hundreds turned out to show their support of the wounded officer.
In an interview with 9News, Chris Brown, a former coworker, and officer on the police force said, “Cem is the kind of guy you want to show up on that call he responded to the other night. He is one this community wants to show up to protect them.”
The other officers and community rallied around him, showing their support for his recovery. An outpouring of love from the community went out as Officer Duzel endured many surgeries for spinal cord and brain injuries.
“Your continued support of him is going to be crucial. Don’t stop loving him,” encouraged Deputy Stone.
During his recovery, Officer Duzel had one wish, to meet his hero: John Cena
When you spend weeks in the hospital recovering from surgery and injuries, time can go by slowly. Officer Duzel’s hero had always been John Cena, the famous WWE star. The Colorado Springs Police Department knew that Officer Duzel needed some cheering up.
So they bought a John Cena action figure which frequently showed up around Officer Duzel’s hospital room. The police force also went to Facebook and Twitter to try to reach Cena and encouraged him to visit officer Duzel in person. They posted of photos with the action figure of John Cena posed on Officer Cem Duzel’s shoulder.
John Cena answered the call and visited Officer Duzel in his home.
Officer Duzel’s recovery is ongoing and he moved back to his home state of New York with his family to continue his rehabilitation. Thanks to the community spreading the word along with the help of social media, John Cena had seen the story and recorded a video for Officer Duzel while on a movie set.
John Cena sent a heartfelt message encouraging Officer Duzel to, “Never give up,” three words he lives by.
But in September, John Cena gave them the surprise of a lifetime. John Cena visited the family at their home. The Colorado Springs Police Department posted a thank you to John Cena saying, “Thank you to everyone in our community who helped make this happen for Officer Duzel, and thank you to John Cena for supporting our hero along his journey! We are amazed, humbled, and beyond thankful.”
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Source: 9News
Source: Colorado Springs Police Department
