Cop Shot 3 Times by ISIS Gunman Throws First Pitch at Phillies Home Opener

Debra Heine | 8:53 PM on April 13, 2016

Philadelphia Police Officer Jesse Hartnett proposes to Lily Abdullina ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies home opening day baseball game against the San Diego Padres, Monday, April 11, 2016, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Remember Jesse Hartnett, the Philadelphia cop who helped capture an ISIS terrorist after being ambushed and shot in the arm back in January?

Hartnett — who is still recovering from his wounds — got a standing ovation after he threw out the first pitch at the Phillies home opener on Monday. Ceremonial first pitches can be tricky for some, but Hartnett managed to throw a solid heater despite the fact that his left arm was still in a sling.

But Hartnett wasn’t finished. He then dropped to one knee, pulled out an engagement ring and asked his girlfriend, who had joined him on the field, to marry him. She said yes, to the audience’s delight, and the two sealed the deal with an embrace and a kiss.

Hartnett was shot three times in the left arm by a man who ambushed him as he sat in his marked police cruiser on January 7. The suspect fired 13 shots at point blank range in what the police commissioner called “an attempted execution.”

After the bullets shattered his arm, Hartnett managed to call in the attack, get out of his car, and return fire, hitting the suspect at least three times. He was rushed to the hospital, which is where he spent the next three weeks.

The suspect, a recent convert to the Islamic State (also known as ISIS), said that he did it in the name of Islam, although the mayor of Philadelphia disagreed. “In no way, shape, or form does anyone in this room believe that Islam or the teaching of Islam has anything to do with what you’ve seen on the screen,” Mayor Jim Kenney (D) asserted at the time.

Philly police officials, meanwhile, are applauding the hometown hero as he progresses down his road to recovery.

“We are glad he is continuing to heal,” Tanya Little, Philadelphia police spokeswoman, told Philly.com. “And applaud his commitment to live every day as fully as possible. Congratulations.”

John McNesby, president of the Fraternal Order of Police, told the publication that he believes Hartnett is a hero.

“He’s been through a lot this year,” he said. “He’s a true hero. And now, not only is he a hero to the department and the community, he’s also a hero to his fiancee.”

Edward Archer, the accused attacker, faces attempted murder and other charges.