MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Mount Vernon officer shot in head expected to leave hospital on Valentine’s Day

Feb 13, 2017, 5:30 AM | Updated: 5:33 am

Mount Vernon...

Mount Vernon Officer Mike "Mick" McClaughry is expected to return home from the hospital on Valentine's Day. (KIRO 7)

(KIRO 7)

Update:
The health of a Mount Vernon officer shot in the head while on the job has improved and his family says he is expected to leave the hospital on Valentine’s Day.

Officer Mike “Mick” McClaughry was moved out of the intensive care unit in January.On Friday, loved ones of McClaughry shared an update on the Facebook page that supports him, writing that he would be able to leave the hospital to return home on Valentine’s Day.

“O.k. everyone, here is the ultimate update that you have all been waiting for!!! Dad is coming home!!” a post on the page reads. “He will be coming home on Tuesday 2/14, yes Valentines Day! Not only that but it is also my mom and dad’s 39th wedding anniversary (yes, they married on Valentines Day, lol)!”

Family members want his arrival home to be private but are inviting members of the public to line the roadway and cheer.

Original:

MOUNT VERNON, Wash. – The health of a Mount Vernon officer shot in the head while on the job has improved and he was moved out of the intensive care unit in January. On Saturday, Officer Mike McClaughry shared a letter with those who have offered him support during his recovery.

Related: Wounded officer hailed as community leaderThe 61-year-old Mount Vernon police officer was in critical condition after being shot in the back of the head. Officer Mike “Mick” McClaughry was flown to Harborview Medical Center where he had surgery, but he was alert and spoke to medics, troopers said.The suspect, Ernesto Lee Rivas, who shot at police during an hours-long standoff, was taken into custody.Police initially said hostages were inside the home, but later said the two males there are persons of interest. They were arrested. Rivas is well-known to police and was first sent to a Washington state prison in 1992.

McClaughry is a beloved member of the Mount Vernon community who started as a police officer there in 1985.

To all my supporters around the globe,

After sitting here, the past few days, reading or rather hearing all the heartfelt best wishes I would like to express my gratitude to the world.

First, I would like to humbly thank all the nurses, doctors, rehabilitation staff and other employees of Harborview Medical Center for taking such good care of me, my family and my friends. Without their help, knowledge and sacrifices, I would not be here today.

To the world, all of you have been so gracious and thoughtful that words are difficult to come by but I will give it my best. All of you are more than deserving of my thanks and appreciation and I really don’t know if I will ever be able to really thank everyone to the extent that I would like to.

I do not have much memory of the events of that night. I remember a lot of noise, hurried voices and I distinctly remember a great amount of concern. My memory is slowly starting to come back and with more work, it will return. I desperately want to see and recognize all the great people that helped me, my family and my friends.

For all that you have done or are willing to do in the future, I am truly humbled. I really wish I could do more but my physical condition limits me. In the meantime, please accept my deep and sincere appreciation.

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Mount Vernon officer shot in head expected to leave hospital on Valentine’s Day