Warrior On: The Next Steps

At Craig Hospital, dozens of Colorado Springs police officers lined the halls all the way from Officer Cem Duzel’s room to the door where he would be leaving the rehabilitation center for the very last time.

On Monday, September 23, 2019, Officer Cem Duzel and his family finished packing up his hospital room and began preparing for the next step in his journey towards recovery. On the heels of another successful surgery, Officer Duzel will spend the next few months undergoing rehabilitation therapy in the comfort of his home state of New York.

Before his flight took off the following day, officers and CSPD command staff made the trip to Englewood to ensure Officer Duzel received a proper send-off. Officers lined up from his room all the way down to the car that would take him and his family to a hotel near the Denver airport, where they would rest before their early flight the next morning. There were cheers, salutes, tears, and public supporters waving flags in the crowd. Early this morning, September 24, 2019, on his 32nd birthday, Officer Duzel and his family boarded their flight for the trip back home.

While Officer Duzel still has a long road ahead, his spirit remains strong and he continues to show great courage. Please continue to keep Officer Duzel and his family in your thoughts and prayers. Also, help us in encouraging Cem’s hero, John Cena, to visit OUR hero. In his most recent video to the public, Officer Duzel thanks the wrestling star for his words of inspiration; however, we are still hopeful John Cena will make a trip to visit Cem in person.

Saying goodbye to a fellow officer, a friend, a hero, is never easy; however, we know that this trip to New York signifies a major milestone in his journey towards recovery. We will you miss you, Cem, and cannot wait to see you again. Until then, warrior on!

For those interested in donating to Officer Duzel, you may do so through the Colorado Springs Police Protective Association (CSPPA) Fallen Officer Relief Fund, a 501 © (3):

· Online at www.csppa.org. (Be sure to note the donation is for Officer Duzel.)
· Over the phone, 719–634–0058, or in person at the CSPPA, 516 North Tejon Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80903.
· By check payable to the CSPPA Fallen Officer Relief Fund at the above address. (Memo at the bottom should indicate the donation is for Officer Duzel.)

Cards and letters are still encouraged as they will be delivered to Cem on a regular basis. Address all cards/letters to:

Cem Duzel, c/o Lt. Jim Sokolik

Colorado Springs Police Department
705 South Nevada Avenue
Colorado Springs, CO 80903