The Philly cop who helped capture the ISIS terrorist who ambushed and shot him threw out the first pitch at the Phillies home opener.
Jesse Hartnett threw out a fastball to open the season despite that his left arm was still in a sling as he recovers from the multiple gunshot wounds he received in the line of duty. His pitch made it across home plate and into the catcher's mitt with an impressive amount of force, something several prominent able-bodied men have struggled with.
As the notoriously hard to impress Philly fans cheered Hartnett, he then knelt to one knee, pulled out an engagement ring, and asked his girlfriend Lily Abdullina to marry him. She said yes.
Hartnett was injured on January 7 in West Philadelphia when an ISIS-inspired attacker ran up to his patrol car, pushed his gun through the window, and shot Hartnett at point blank range. Hartnett was hit in the arms several times. However, he was able to call in the attack, get out of his car, and return fire on his attacker. He managed to shoot the terrorist in his ass, helping to apprehend him.
Philly police officials applauded Hartnett's "We are glad he is continuing to heal," Tanya Little, Philadelphia police spokeswoman, told Philly.com. "And applaud his commitment to live every day as fully as possible. Congratulations."
John McNesby, president of the Fraternal Order of Police, told the publication that he believes Hartnett is a hero.
"He’s been through a lot this year," he said. "He’s a true hero. And now, not only is he a hero to the department and the community, he’s also a hero to his fiancee."
Edward Archer, the accused attacker, is now awaiting trial for attempted murder and various other charges.