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Omaha cop critically wounded in shooting
Critical Omaha officer expected to recover
By Michael O’Connor
The Omaha World-Herald
OMAHA, Neb. — Omaha Police Officer Paul Latschar has been released from Creighton University Medical Center, less than two weeks after being shot and critically wounded after a late-night traffic stop.
Latschar, barring any complication, is expected to make a full recovery, said Dr. Robert Fitzgibbons, his surgeon.
Fitzgibbons said Monday that given the seriousness of his injuries, Latschar has made remarkable progress since the Aug. 20 shooting.
“He is ahead of the game,” Fitzgibbons said.
Fitzgibbons said Latschar’s overall good health and strong physical condition at the time of the shooting helped in his recovery.
He said the officer, who suffered an injury to an important vein near his right hip and his small intestine, is able to walk by himself and eat regular food. He will require physical therapy to improve his strength, Fitzgibbons said.
Fitzgibbons said it would be at least six weeks before Latschar could return to work.
Aaron Hanson, president of the Omaha Police Union, said he is pleased that Latschar has made good progress and that the community has been so supportive.
“It’s a good feeling to see how strong this community feels about its police officers,” he said.
Latschar and his partner, Jerry Swanson, both members of the department’s gang unit, were patrolling near 42nd Street and Camden Avenue when they recognized and pulled over Corey T. Allen, a gang member who had a suspended driver’s license.
Allen is accused of shooting at the officers, wounding Latschar, when the officers stepped out of their unmarked police car.
Latschar was hit in the left arm, the lower abdomen and his bulletproof vest. He lost massive amounts of blood. As he was taken into surgery at Creighton, he lost his pulse and blood pressure. The medical team began CPR and restored them.
Copyright 2008 The Omaha World-Herald