Alexandria police officer Peter Laboy officially retired Wednesday, nearly 2-and-a-half years after he survived a gunshot wound to the head, fired by a suspect. Dozens of people gathered for a bittersweet sendoff at Alexandria Police Headquarters.
Laboy thanked first-responders who quickly came to his aid on Feb. 27, 2013.
Laboy was on motorcycle patrol in Old Town when he began to pull over a taxi driver wanted for suspicious activity. The suspect – Kashif Bashir – shot Laboy in the head. Bashir led police on a chase before he crashed and was arrested in the Mt. Vernon area.
Alexandria's first-responders began immediate life-saving measures on Laboy, as he lay bleeding near Lyles Crouch Elementary. The U.S. Park Police Eagle 1 helicopter detoured from its detail to land on the school's playground and then rushed Laboy to Medstar Washington Hospital Center.
Laboy's wife Suzanne, a nurse, was at his bedside for weeks and was later alongside her husband for months of physical therapy. In her first statement to reporters in May 2013, she spoke about her belief in Laboy's survival.
"I definitely think it's a miracle. It definitely was not his time to go," she said.
In October 2014, an Alexandria judge found Bashir not guilty by reason of insanity. He was sent to a secure psychiatric facility.
Laboy got the nickname "Superman" during his recovery and has the famous symbol tattooed on his shoulder. Alexandria neighbors even replaced the iconic "S" with a "P" on flags made to decorate the outside of his home.
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Once Laboy was released from the hospital, a protective helmet with a Superman decal made him a recognizable figure. He was required to wear the headgear for more than two months before getting metal plates implanted in his head. The traumatic brain injury Laboy suffered makes it impossible for him to return to the police force.
When News4 spoke to him near the one-year anniversary of the shooting, Laboy said his goals were simple. "To be able to get back to normal, do more stuff to help here [around the house] and help with the kids ... I'm just trying to keep moving forward."
At Wednesday's retirement celebration, Superman tattoo decals were on hand.
Laboy said he's at peace with his retirement because of the role he held during 18 years on the force, as a detective and member of the accident investigation team, hostage negotiation team and motorcycle team.
"After 18 years, I could say I was going to retire and I was going to be happy that everything I wanted to do I was able to do," he said, nodding with satisfaction.
Chief Earl Cook presented Laboy with his retirement credentials. Laboy posed for photos astride the motorcycle he used to ride as part of "Motor 8" patrol.
A crowd stood outside police headquarters as Laboy gave a final wave. As is customary for all police retirees, Laboy got a police motorcycle escort as he and his wife left the station.
