Wounded Officer Hartnett to be group's Man of the Year

Jesse Hartnett, the Philadelphia police officer who, after being shot three times in an ambush, ran after his attacker and returned fire, will be honored by the National Police Defense Foundation as its Man of the Year.

"This is in recognition of his heroic efforts in the performance of his duties," said Joseph Occhipinti, executive director of the New York-based advocacy group, which supports the efforts of law enforcement. "He is truly a law enforcement professional who demonstrated professionalism and valor in spite of grave danger. He's a cop's cop."

Hartnett, 33, was sitting in his patrol car about 11:30 p.m. Jan. 7 in West Philadelphia when a man approached and fired 13 times at the cruiser, striking the officer three times in his left arm. When the gunman took off, Hartnett ran after him and returned fire, wounding him in the buttocks.

Edward Archer, 30, of Yeadon, was arrested soon after ambush and has been identified by police as the shooter. Police said Archer told the detectives that he was acting in the name of Islam.

"I follow Allah. I pledge my allegiance to the Islamic State, and that's why I did what I did," Archer told detectives, according to Homicide Capt. James Clark.

Archer is in custody on a host of charges, including attempted murder. His preliminary hearing has been scheduled for March 10.

Hartnett, a five-year veteran assigned to the 18th District, was released from Penn Presbyterian Medical Center on Jan. 22, and faces a long road to recovery.

John McNesby, president of Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5, plans to accompany Hartnett to New York City for the May 4 recognition ceremony.

"It is an honor. He deserves it, quite frankly, because of what he went through and what he will go through in the future," McNesby said, referring to Hartnett's recent and future surgeries to repair his elbow. "I'm sure this won't be the only award he'll get."