Suffolk County officer shot last week released from hospital to cheers from fellow officers
CORAM, Suffolk County (WABC) -- The Suffolk County officer who was shot while trying to arrest a robbery suspect last week was released from the hospital Thursday.
Michael LaFauci, a six-year veteran of the force, had been recovering at Stony Brook University Hospital.
Hundreds of officers lined up and cheered for Officer LaFauci as he was discharged.
Meanwhile, the 20-year-old man accused of shooting a Suffolk County police officer was in court Wednesday.
Janell Funderburke pleaded not guilty to attempted aggravated murder of a police officer, robbery in the first degree, and second-degree menacing with a weapon.
Detectives say they were monitoring the 20-year-old at a home in Coram last Thursday when he suddenly took off running.
Funderburke was a suspect in a robbery two days earlier. They chased him, and that's when police say Funderburke opened fire.
One of those bullets hit LaFauci in the thigh.
Doctors credit the two tourniquets applied by fellow officers for saving his life.
Funderburke apologized to the officer he is suspected of shooting during a perp walk last Friday.
"Tell him I'm sorry, I didn't mean it," he said.
The suspect's family says that he has mental health issues.
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