Officer Mark Moore was released after being seriously injured while responding to a mental health call on April 9.
AURORA, Colo. — An Aurora Police officer who was seriously injured when he was stabbed in the head while responding to a mental health call earlier this month has been released from the hospital.
The police department posted on Wednesday that Officer Mark Moore left the hospital after undergoing multiple surgeries and nearly two weeks of rehabilitation.
“He continues to have a long road to recovery, but today marks a powerful step forward,” the department said.
Moore had been in the hospital since April 9 after being dispatched to the call for a suicidal subject in the 14000 block of East Stanford Circle.
Members of the Crisis Response Team (CRT) requested additional police assistance after the 23-year-old man, later identified as Amare Garlington, said he had a knife and threatened to kill himself, other people and the police, according to the department.
RELATED: 23-year-old man shot and killed in altercation with Aurora Police identified
At some point, Garlington stopped responding, then ran outside and attacked Moore and his K9 with a butcher knife, police said.
Moore fired his weapon while being stabbed, killing Garlington, according to police.
The injured K-9 received stitches and stayed overnight at a veterinary clinic for monitoring before being released.
Moore joined the Aurora Police Department in 2002 and has been assigned to the K-9 Unit since 2012.
“Through it all, Mark, his family, and his K9 partner Cyrus have felt an outpouring of support from this community,” the department said. “All of us here at APD can’t thank you enough for that. It has not gone unnoticed, and it has made a difference.”
RELATED: Aurora officer recovering after being stabbed in the head during mental health call
Aurora Police said a national nonprofit created a fundraiser to support Moore and his family while he continues to recover.
It also said an in-person fundraiser is being held on Tuesday, May 12, at the Chick-fil-A located at 5600 South Parker Road.
“From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for standing with Officer Moore and his family,” the department said. “Your support continues to lift them up during one of the most challenging times of their lives.”
Garlington’s mother and cousin said after the incident that they are devastated about the stabbing. They said Garlington has dealt with mental health issues for years and they’ve repeatedly tried to get him help.
“It’s really hard still being here knowing everything took place here,” said Michelle Garcia, who is Garlington’s mother.
“I can’t imagine the fear that the officers were in in that moment and the community, but Amare never in his right mind would have done anything like that,” said Valerie Tatum, Garlington’s cousin. “And so, you know, we just hope that they’re recovering. It was tragic for everybody involved.”
RELATED: Family of man killed by Aurora Police say they tried repeatedly to get him mental health support