COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho—A large crowd gathered at Kootenai Health Friday morning as they waited for the Coeur d’Alene police officer who was shot in the line of duty Tuesday to be released.
Coeur d’Alene Police officer Charles Hatley was shot in the abdomen after exchanging gunfire with Curtis Ware after a traffic stop.
Coeur d’Alene Police Chief Lee White said at some point during the traffic stop, officers learned Ware had a felony warrant for his arrest and when officers approached Ware he fired at the officers.
White said Hatley was hit by the gunfire and was transported to Kootenai Health by another officer. Hatley underwent surgery Tuesday night.
"I would like to take a minute to thank everybody in the community for all of the support you have given me and my family the past few days," Hatley said. "It's extremely overwhelming and it means more than you guys know."
He thanked Kootenai Health for their dedication to his recovery.
"I am recovering and doing very well because of the stuff you guys have done for me, so I greatly appreciate that," he said.
Hatley thanked the officers that were at the scene that night as well.
"I have only been here for a little bit of time, but through this incident, I have come to witness first-hand how big the law enforcement community really is," he said. "It's awesome that you guys are so supportive. I couldn't ask for anything else."