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Arnold officer shot in line of duty transported to rehabilitation hospital

First responders lined the route on the way from Saint Louis University Hospital to the Spirit of St. Louis Airport for Ryan O'Connor Monday morning.

ST. LOUIS – The Arnold officer who was shot in the line of duty in December is going to a rehabilitation hospital in Colorado.

First responders lined the route on the way from Saint Louis University Hospital to the Spirit of St. Louis Airport for Ryan O'Connor Monday morning. Officer Flamion and Tudor were also there to send O'Connor off.

“Police and fire work really close together and they have our back on a lot of emergency calls and we have their back,” Captain Thomas Larry Beauchamp, with the Monarch Fire Protection District, said.

Several first responders stood along Boone's Crossing overlooking I-64 as Officer O'Connor was transported from SLU Medical Center to Spirit Airport. O'Connor was shot in the head while transporting a suspect over to the Arnold Police Station for booking. He has since undergone several surgeries.

“That's paid a pretty big price for the job he does,” said Beauchamp.

Wonderful to see all the support for Arnold Officer O'Connor! Wishing him a speedy recovery! @SunsetHillsPD @SLMPD @MetroWestFire @MHPolice @monarchfpd @ofallonpolice @EurekaMOFire @ChesterfieldPD @BallwinPolice @FlorissantPD @STLFireDept @BackStoppers pic.twitter.com/hUod7SPcXw— St. Louis County PD (@stlcountypd) January 8, 2018

The O'Connor family shared this statement with the Arnold Police Department"Today we celebrate a small victory. Officer Ryan O'Connor was airlifted to Craig Hospital in Denver, Colorado where he is due to arrive safely this afternoon. Craig Hospital is one of the best in the nation and is where area Officers Flamion, Tudor, and Glasby received incredible rehabilitative care. Ryan's recovery will be a long journey, but with the skills of the phenomenal staff at Craig, the love of his family, and the support from all of you, we know that we will have many more victories to celebrate together."

O'Connor was shot by 29-year-old Chad L. Klahs near the back of his head as he was transporting him. Klahs was shot during the incident, which is believed to be self-inflicted.