Hero cop who gunned down violent career criminal after getting shot wheeled out of NYC hospital to rousing applause

The hero cop who gunned down a violent career criminal despite being wounded in a wild Tuesday night shootout was wheeled out of Jamaica Hospital to a rousing applause from more than 200 of New York’s Finest.

NYPD Officer Rich Wong, a seven-year veteran of the force, took a bullet in the thigh from ex-con Gary Worthy after the thug pulled off a pair of armed robberies in Jamaica – but managed to get off the fatal shots that stopped the crime spree, police said.

Wong’s colleagues from the 103 Precinct made up the majority of the honor guard, with mounted cops nearby.

The wounded officer, who was flanked by his mother and his girlfriend, gave a thumbs up when asked how he was feeling.

“He didn’t know what he was going into,” NYPD PBA President Patrick Hendry said outside the hospital Wednesday. “He didn’t know he was going to confront a dangerous, evil individual who was arrested 17 times – and one of those arrests was for murder.

“He didn’t think twice about shooting an NYPD police officer, but we’re thankful for the skill of our police officer, who was able to fire back and stop the threat.”

Worthy, 57, allegedly robbed a bodega and a smoke shop on Guy Brewer Boulevard shortly after 5:30 p.m. when Wong was called to the scene.

The fatal confrontation came about an hour later, when Wong confronted Worthy near the corner of Jamaica Avenue and 160th Street, with the ex-con opening fire and striking the cop and a bystander.
Despite being wounded, the hero cop fired and struck Worthy in the face.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The incident has raised questions over why Worthy remained on the streets without bail despite being on lifetime parole – with three open cases in Queens.

“They need to say someone’s on lifetime parole. You get arrested, you get remanded,” Hendry said. “You assault a New York City police officer, you get remanded until the case is finished. You shoot a New York City police officer, you get remanded.

“We ask all New Yorkers, rally around all police officers.”