YUBA CITY, Calif. — On Friday afternoon, Officer David Gordon took his first steps home from the hospital with his wife Tina Gordon and fellow officers cheering him on.
Gordon, a CHP officer, was hospitalized for four months after being hit by a suspected drunk driver.
“Tina has been able to stay close to the hospital and she’s been there the last four months coming home back and forth to help out with the kids see friends and family,” said Stacy Runyen, Back the Badge Yuba Sutter President.
Gordon's homecoming on Friday has been deeply anticipated by many who were looking to show solidarity for the officer.
“[It is] just to show the warmest welcome to make them really see all of the people who have been praying for them the last four months - to be out here in the flesh is also healing for the community,” Runyen said.
Through her efforts with Back the Badge, Runyen has seen firsthand the hardships Gordon and his family have gone through to reach this moment.
“There were times we would get really excited. We would see some really fast progress and then there be a small set back [and] then it was a waiting game,” Runyen said.
Ruyen said Gordon never stopped fighting and the community never stop supporting him, whether it was by sending prayers through social media or showing up to wave "hello."
“When it came to the physical agility he had to build back, he was so determined to learn to walk again and reach all of those goals [physical therapy] had for him in order to come home,” Runyen said.
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