Officer paralyzed in Beverly shooting released from hospital

CHICAGO — An off-duty Chicago police officer who was paralyzed from the waist down after being shot in the back trying to break up a bar fight last weekend is expected to be released from the hospital Friday.

Three people were charged in the shooting of 32-year-old Officer Dan Golden Thursday.

Golden was at Sean’s Rhino Bar near West 104th Street and Western Avenue early Saturday morning with friends after playing in the softball fundraiser Papa Hops, which raises money for families dealing with cancer.

Golden’s fiancé told WGN News that he was trying to de-escalate a fight when someone opened fire. According to Golden’s mother, he identified himself as a police officer while he was trying to break up the fight.

Golden, who works in Area Four with the Gang Investigation’s Homicide Unit, was shot once in the back and had his spinal cord severed.

Golden received well wishes from high-profile celebrities such as Tom Brady. The seven-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback sent Golden a video message last Tuesday offering his support for him as he recovers.

Brady’s message was reshared by St. Rita High through their Facebook page. Golden was a graduate in 2009.

If you would like to help the Golden family with medical costs and expenses, a GoFundMe page has been set up for the now paralyzed police officer.