SCRANTON, Pa. — Emotions ran high as hundreds of officers, community leaders, and people cheered as Detective Gilmartin, in his full-dress uniform, made his first public appearance outside Scranton Police headquarters.
"Please help me welcome a true crime fighter and a guardian of our community- Detective Kyle Gilmartin." said Scranton Police Chief Thomas Carroll.
This came less than two months after Detective Gilmartin was shot in the head while investigating a shots-fired incident in the city's west side.
"That night I was just an ordinary man who was placed in an extraordinary circumstance in which I faced evil and won due to the grace of God." said Detective Gilmartin, speaking for the first time about the night of the shooting.
Gilmartin spent two weeks at Geisinger CMC before he was transferred to a rehabilitation hospital near Philadelphia. Many say it's a miracle he is alive.
"The police officers with me that night, the medical staff, my surgeons at Geisinger CMC, and the nurses and therapists at Moss Rehab outside of Philadelphia are the true heroes of the situation." said Gilmartin.
"No doubt many prayers were answered. And we continue to pray that we will not have to endure such a tragedy ever again." said Chief Caroll.
Gilmartin was working in the juvenile unit of Scranton Police when he was shot. Even in recovery he is still acting as a true officer of the law.
"If I can choose one thing to come from this, it will be that I will be the last victim of senseless violence. If you're a parent, you need to be talking to your children." said Gilmartin.
Detective Gilmartin also thanked everyone for the support and donations over the last few weeks in helping with his recovery.