Kittitas police officer shot released from hospital, faces ‘long recovery ahead’

Kittitas police Officer Benito “Kellyn” Chavez was released from Harborview Medical Center in Seattle on Saturday afternoon, after being shot while responding to a road rage call. A Kittitas County Sheriff’s Deputy, Ryan Thompson, was killed in the gunfight.

The suspect also died. Chavez is recovering from a shattered femur and was loaded via gurney into a Kittitas Valley ambulance for the trip home.

He and his wife, Monica Chavez, thanked the community for their support over the past few days.

“It’s been incredible to have this amount of support. Just the law enforcement agencies back home and Kittitas Medic One, the (Seattle) units here. It’s incredible and I couldn’t be more grateful,” Officer Chavez said.

“I’m doing well, leg hurts, it’s going to be a long recovery – things like that. But I’m good and I’m glad to have these departments and these people in my corner,” he said.

Chavez, 22, started his career with the Kittitas Police Department in July 2018 and graduated from the Basic Law Enforcement Academy in January 2019.

His wife is 32 weeks pregnant and also expressed her thanks outside Harborview.

“We just want to say thank you for everyone who has supported us, and we couldn’t be more grateful,” she said.

The Kittitas police chief also welcomed Chavez out of the hospital.

“Our primary focus right now is for Officer Chavez to get home and heal, so he can get bac to work,” said Chief Chris Taylor. “He has not balked at all about coming back to duty. He’s just as strong as he was when he started, if not stronger,” he said.

"It's incredible, I couldn't be more grateful," said Officer Benito Chavez of #Kittitas PD about all the support. Shooting shattered his femur & he has a "long road ahead" but got out of the hospital today with a smile.

Just got word that he's back in Kittitas! @KIRO7Seattle pic.twitter.com/xVSKdmD7Al

— Deedee Sun (@DeedeeKIRO7) March 24, 2019