'They're all heroes': 4 Pittsburgh police officers recovering after terror at synagogue

Four police officers were among the wounded in the attack on a synagogue in the Pittsburgh neighborhood of Squirrel Hill as they answered Saturday's 911 call that became the deadliest attack on Jews in U.S. history.

Though authorities have not formally released the names of the injured officers, they said two city policemen and two SWAT team officers were among the six people wounded at the Tree of Life Synagogue, whose members rented space to two other Jewish congregations as well as having their own worship services. 

The two SWAT officers were hit multiple times, including one critically wounded, as they worked to take accused shooter Robert Bowers, 46, of Baldwin, Pennsylvania, into custody. 

"We're under fire! We're under fire! He's got an automatic weapon and firing at us from the synagogue," according to several radio dispatches from officers that gave a raw look at the chaotic and harrowing mass shooting. "Every unit in the city needs to get here now!"

Officers shepherded the wounded survivors to safety even as the gunfire continued with them as the targets, according to emergency dispatches and police reports.

One of the officers suffered a severed artery, Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto said.

"It could've been much worse, but his partner placed a tourniquet" on him, the mayor said.

After visiting with one of the injured officers, Peduto said that the man was in good spirits.

"They're all heroes," Pittsburgh Police Chief Scott Shubert said. "Who knows what would've happened if he got out in the streets." 

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf also spent time with the wounded officers.

“I am in awe of the bravery of displayed by law enforcement, those folks who help to keep people safe, to aid victims and to prevent further tragedy," Wolf said. 

The four officers were treated at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center hospitals, medical center officials said:

• A 40-year-old male officer is in critical condition in the intensive care unit at UPMC Presbyterian.
• A 55-year-old male officer is in stable condition at UPMC Presbyterian.
• A 27-year-old male officer was released from UPMC Mercy as of 6 a.m. ET Monday.
• A fourth officer, whose age was not immediately known, is no longer hospitalized.

Because of patient privacy laws, hospital officials can't give specific information on injuries. Dispatch reports indicate one officer was shot in the hand, and flying shrapnel cut another on the face. 

Pittsburgh Officer Anthony Seretti has set up a GoFundMe page for fellow SWAT Officer Timothy Watson. It has raised almost $40,000 in about a day.

Cmdr. Jason Lando told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that Watson was cracking jokes in his hospital room Sunday. 

“When bullets are flying and people’s lives are in danger, Tim Watson is the guy you want going through the door,” Lando told the paper. “He’s the guy who goes in and calmly gets the job done."

Despite the numerous social media posts, there was nothing that alerted legal authorities to any illegal activity or a mass shooting so horrific, said Peduto, Pittsburgh's mayor. 

"The police response was tremendous. The shooter was armed at a very high level with a lot of ammunition, indicating there could have been a lot more damage," Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald said. "City and county police stopped what could've been worse. I give our police and first responders unbelievable gratitude and credit."

Follow Candy Woodall on Twitter: @candynotcandace

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