Wounded Washington Officer Released from Hospital, Faces Long Recovery

The officer with the Kittitas (WA) Police Department wounded in a gunfight that killed a Kittitas County Sheriff's Deputy was released from the hospital over the weekend.

According to the Seattle Times , 22-year-old Benito Chavez was shot in the leg Tuesday after an attempted traffic stop turned into a vehicle pursuit.

During the gunfight that followed the vehicle pursuit, 42-year-old Deputy Ryan Thompson was fatally struck by gunfire. The gunman—identified as 29-year-old Manuel Flores Del Toro was also killed in the exchange.

Officer Chavez was transported to a nearby hospital via helicopter, where he underwent surgery.

When he was released, he was escorted home with his pregnant wife by a motorcade of police and fire vehicles from Seattle, Bellevue and Kittitas.

Chavez credits Thompson for saving his life.

"Ryan Thompson, he saved our lives. No doubt in my mind," said Chavez.