Wounded Independence officer welcomed home with horses, flags, police escort

Tom Wagstaff, the Independence police officer who sustained a critical gunshot wound to the head as he responded to a home robbery, made a triumphant homecoming Friday afternoon after spending months in a Nebraska rehabilitation center.

The first in a pair of events dubbed a “Hero’s Homecoming” happened Friday afternoon. A full police escort led Wagstaff to Independence police headquarters. Horse-mounted Jackson County deputies ushered the arrival.

The motorcade stopped for a brief ceremony where Wagstaff waved to a cheering crowd.

“Thank you all for coming. It’s great to be back,” Wagstaff told them.

“It’s a really emotional day,” said Independence mayor Eileen Weir. “The support that this community has shown for Officer Wagstaff and IPD has just been incredible.”

Prior to the event, Zoe Reiner, 13, of Independence placed a scrapbook with inspirational quotes on a small stand and encouraged the throng of well-wishers to sign it.

“We want Officer Wagstaff to know that we were here for him,” Reiner said.

On Saturday, a special program honoring Wagstaff begins at 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Blue Springs, 4500 Little Blue Parkway. The community is also encouraged to attend.

Wagstaff, a 15-year veteran with the department, was critically wounded March 29 after responding to a home invasion robbery in the 3600 block of South Delaware Avenue.

Four men were later charged.

Wagstaff was moved to a rehabilitation center after being hospitalized for several weeks at the Centerpoint Medical Center in Independence. One physician called the officer’s recovery a “miracle in the making.”

The large crowd stretched along North Memorial Drive in front of the police headquarters. Many hoisted handmade signs and waved American flags as the patrol car with Wagstaff inside pulled up.

“After eight months of hard work and strenuous rehabilitation, Officer Wagstaff is finally coming home,” police spokesman Officer John Syme said in a statement.

This story was originally published December 8, 2017 at 9:03 AM with the headline "Wounded Independence officer welcomed home with horses, flags, police escort."