‘The big man upstairs pulled through’: Miami police officer who had severe case of COVID leaves hospital after 11 weeks in ICU
- Florida officer J.C. Sampedro was met by a jubilant crowd from his department, family and friends after his release from an 11-week ICU stay for COVID
- ‘I can’t thank you enough,’ he said through tears upon his Monday release. ‘Your prayers were heard and the big man upstairs pulled through’
- ‘My family, you guys have been the best,’ he added as people cheered and clapped. ‘Thank you so much’
- Sampedro’s children held up signs that read, ‘We missed you, Papa Bear!’ and ‘Love you, Dad’ as their father was wheeled out of the hospital
- ‘A hero is back home,’ the Miami Beach Police department said in a tweet
A Miami Beach police officer who spent 11 weeks fighting a severe case of COVID-19 tearfully thanked his family, the prayers of his community and the good will of the ‘big man upstairs’ for helping him pull through upon his release.
Officer J.C. Sampedro, who was pushed in a wheelchair out of Broward Health North Hospital wearing an oxygen device on Monday, was overcome with emotion as a crowd of uniformed officers from his department, cheering friends and his children held up handmade signs reading, ‘We missed you, Papa Bear,’ and ‘Love you, Dad.’
‘I can’t thank you enough,’ he said. ‘Your prayers were heard and the big man upstairs pulled through.’
It is unclear whether Sampedro had been vaccinated against the virus before his hospitalization.
Officer J.C. Sampedro, who was pushed in a wheelchair out of Broward Health North hospital wearing an oxygen device, was overcome with emotion among a crowd of uniformed officers from his department, cheering friends and family
‘I can’t thank you enough,’ Officer J.C. Sampedro (pictured) said. ‘Your prayers were heard and the big man upstairs pulled through’
Sampedro (pictured, sitting) also a former U.S. Marine, was hospitalized back in July for coronavirus complications. He was intubated and attached to a ventilator, according to his police department, before his condition improved enough for him to return home
Officer J.C. Sampedro’s children held up handmade signs reading ‘we missed you, Papa Bear,’ and ‘Love you, Dad’
‘My family, you guys have been the best,’ he added as people cheered and clapped. ‘Thank you so much.’
The Miami Beach Police Department, where Sampedro works, congratulated the officer via Twitter, sharing the heartwarming video of his release.
‘A hero is back home,’ they wrote.
‘My family, you guys have been the best,’ Sampedro (pictured) added as people cheered and clapped. ‘Thank you so much’
The Miami Beach Police Department, where Sampedro works, congratulated the officer via Twitter, sharing the heartwarming video of his release: ‘A hero is back home,’ they wrote
‘Get well soon. Wishing you a speedy recovery!’ one user commented on the video.
‘Welcome back hero,’ wrote another user. ‘Continue to recover and get strong.’
Sampedro, a former U.S. Marine, was hospitalized in July for coronavirus complications. He was intubated and attached to a ventilator, according to his police department, before his condition improved enough for him to return home.
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