Mount Vernon officer shot on job leaves hospital on 39th wedding anniversary

SEATTLE — After a long recovery, a Mount Vernon police officer shot in the head while on the job was discharged from Harborview Medical Center on Valentine's Day, the same day as his wedding anniversary.

Officer Mike "Mick" McClaughry, 60, was moved out of the intensive care unit in January. The shooting left him only able to see light and darkness and some color.

The hospital held a news conference about his recovery and discharge Tuesday. Accompanied by family wearing "McClaughry Strong" T-shirts, the officer entered the room smiling broadly as he took his seat in front of a microphone.

PHOTOS: Mt. Vernon Officer, family speak at news conference

Fellow officers stood in support in the background, their hands folded as McClaughry thanked his wife on what is their 39th wedding anniversary.

"She's really been a rock here," he said. "She's carried a load ... I can't say enough. She's beautiful."

When asked about his recovery, he said,

"I want to see my daughter smile. I want to see my grandchildren, but it's in God's hands right now."

The officer said as far as tonight, he just planned on a bit of relaxing.

Family members want his arrival home to be private, but are inviting members of the public to line the roadway and cheer. See the route details and times at this link or embedded in the post below.

The 61-year-old Mount Vernon police officer was in critical condition after being shot in the back of the head. McClaughry was flown to Harborview Medical Center where he had surgery, but he was alert and spoke to medics, troopers said.

He is a beloved member of the Mount Vernon community who started as a police officer there in 1985.

The suspect, Ernesto Lee Rivas, who shot at police during an hours-long standoff, was taken into custody.

Police initially said hostages were inside the home, but later said the two males there are persons of interest. They were arrested. Rivas is well-known to police and was first sent to a Washington state prison in 1992.

Recently, McClaughry shared a letter of gratitude for those who had offered him support throughout his recovery. Read the letter below.

"To all my supporters around the globe," the letter begins. "After sitting here, the past few days, reading or rather hearing all the heartfelt best wishes I would like to express my gratitude to the world. First, I would like to humbly thank all the nurses, doctors, rehabilitation staff and other employees of Harborview Medical Center for taking such good care of me, my family and my friends. Without their help, knowledge and sacrifices, I would not be here today. To the world, all of you have been so gracious and thoughtful that words are difficult to come by but I will give it my best. All of you are more than deserving of my thanks and appreciation and I really don't know if I will ever be able to really thank everyone to the extent that I would like to. I do not have much memory of the events of that night. I remember a lot of noise, hurried voices and I distinctly remember a great amount of concern. My memory is slowly starting to come back and with more work, it will return. I desperately want to see and recognize all the great people that helped me, my family and my friends. For all that you have done or are willing to do in the future, I am truly humbled. I really wish I could do more but my physical condition limits me. In the meantime, please accept my deep and sincere appreciation."

Cox Media Group