Chicago police Officer Danny Golden waves to the crowds as hundreds of well wishers and first responders welcome him as he makes his way along 103rd St., just east of Pulaski, in Chicago, Aug. 19, 2022. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

As he was leaving Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Chicago police Officer Daniel Golden was greeted with support from loved ones and law enforcement officers. He was eagerly welcomed by his dog, Marilyn, and ate his requested Oreo McFlurry as he headed home.

Golden, who is paralyzed from the waist down after being shot while off-duty trying to break up a bar fight in the Beverly neighborhood July 8, received a police escort to his Beverly home Friday with crowds gathering to show their support. A handful of homes along 103rd Street near South Pulaski Road displayed signs that read “We Support DG.”

Patrick Golden, Daniel’s father, said the family is “totally humbled by the support” from the community.

“Everybody that’s shown up, that’s helped him out, prayed for him, showed him support over the last month and a half, it’s just incredible,” Patrick Golden said.

Since the shooting, community businesses and organizations, including in Oak Lawn, Orland Park and Chicago’s Mount Greenwood community, have raised funds and showed support. A GoFundMe page raised more than $1.4 million with a goal of $2 million.

As the procession made its way to Beverly, Patrick Golden said his son’s spirits were high, just as they had been during treatment.

“He smiles from ear to ear. He’s in great spirits,” Patrick Golden said. “He’s still in a lot of pain, but this takes away from the pain, I really believe it.”

While the shooting left Daniel Golden, 32, paralyzed from the waist down, his father said he is determined to walk again. His goal is to walk down the aisle with his bride at their October 2023 wedding, his father said.

After his son posted a video on Facebook showing him in leg braces and a walker beginning to take some steps, Patrick Golden said his thought was “you can knock me over with a feather.”

The road ahead for his son won’t be easy, Patrick Golden said, but after four years in the U.S. Army and the last seven years as a Chicago police officer “he’s a tough kid.” Daniel Golden will have to complete five hours a day of physical therapy five days a week. He will also have to learn to drive a car with his hands, Patrick Golden said.

Patrick Golden, father of Officer Danny Golden, speaks to reporters Friday while Ald. Matthew O'Shea, right, listens. (Alexandra Kukulka / Daily Southtown)

Daniel Golden told his family that he’d like to continue his education and get his master’s degree, his father said. In the short term, Daniel Golden wants to have a barbecue with his family to thank them for their support, his father said.

“We’re going to take it one day at a time,” Patrick Golden said. “He’s going to get through it.”

Southwest Side Ald. Matthew O’Shea said six weeks ago Daniel Golden “was a peacemaker that night,” and that he will overcome this chapter in his life.

“If you spend five minutes with this man, he’s smiling. He’s looking toward to the future. He’s not focused on this terrible thing that happened to him, he’s focused on moving forward,” O’Shea said. “He’s got a long road ahead of him, but the strength of this young man is phenomenal.”

After the shooting, O’Shea said residents and businesses in the area called police to let officials know that they had cameras on the night of the shooting and offered to give police the footage to help the investigation.

Demertrius Harrell, 28, and Bryant Hayes, 22, both of Chicago, and Justen Krismantis, of Chebanse, Illinois, were charged in connection with the shooting. Hayes and Krismantis were both charged with attempted murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. Harrell was charged with aggravated discharge of a firearm, according to the Cook County state’s attorney’s office.

“There was certainly anger and there was frustration, but my community came together and said ‘We’re not going to allow this to happen. We want to turn this terrible negative, horrible tragedy, and turn something positive.’ They worked with the police, they partnered with the police, and then they came out in support,” O’Shea said.