An Atlantic City police officer who was wounded in a shooting is expected to be released from the hospital.
Officer Josh Vadell's condition has been upgraded and he is expected to be released from AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, possibly as early as Thursday, and will be transferred to a rehabilitation center.
Officer Vadell, 29, was shot back on September 3 after he responded to a robbery in progress at a casino garage.
Atlantic City prosecutors say Vadell, a nine-year veteran of the police force, and another officer saw the robbery being committed.
Vadell was shot as he exited his vehicle. But the second officer returned fire and struck a robbery suspect, Jerome Damon, who later was found dead a short distance away. Damon, 25, was from Camden.
Vadell's condition was upgraded Monday from critical to stable.
He underwent surgery after the early Saturday shooting. Police initially said he suffered a bullet to the head.
Martell Chisholm, of Millville, and Demetrius Cross, of Bridgeton were both arrested in connection to the shooting. A judge maintained bail at $750,000 each for both men. Neither man entered a plea at the hearing.
Vadell's wife, Laura Vadell, and his family issued a statement thanking "everyone who played a role in helping us through this extremely difficult time," including her husband's colleagues and the doctors, nurses and other staffers at the hospital where he's being treated.
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The statement also cites the efforts of the officer who was with Vadell when the shooting occurred.
"Without him, Josh may not have made it and those responsible may never have been brought to justice," it said.
