Skip to main content

Wounded officer throws first pitch, proposes to girlfriend

  • Author:
  • Publish date:

PHILADELPHIA (AP) A Philadelphia police officer wounded in an ambush while sitting in his patrol car in January temporarily traded his gun and his badge for a baseball and a ring.

Jesse Hartnett threw out the first pitch at the Phillies' home opener on Monday and before walking off the field, he reached into the sling supporting his injured left arm, pulled out a ring and proposed to his girlfriend.

She said yes to raucous applause from the Phillies' faithful.

Authorities say the officer's left arm was shattered by gunfire as he was attacked by Edward Archer, who later said he acted in the name of Islam. Hartnett was seen on surveillance footage returning fire and chasing down Archer.

Archer faces attempted murder and other charges.