Without much advanced notice, Officer Damien Garcia was airlifted today by helicopter to a hospital in Miami where he arrived safely at about 11:30 a.m. Two weeks ago today, Garcia was critically injured in a motorcycle accident on Cultural Park Boulevard. The outlook for Garcia’s survival has been a “roller coaster” ride since that tragic event, according to officials.

“I hope we can all look at today as a positive step on his road to recovery and not to see it sadly for ourselves because we cannot be as close to him as we would prefer to be,” said Police Chief Rob Petrovich. “I say this choosing to believe that Damien would not have been transported if his immediate condition, although critical, was not stabilized.

“Damien’s parents now can be nearby for his long-term recovery needs,” added Chief Petrovich. “We ask that the community continue to pray for him as our prayers have been working. Please keep them coming.”

Petrovich also wanted to thank the Lee Memorial Hospital staff for its support during Garcia’s stay at the hospital.

“I cannot say enough about the medical and support staff at Lee Memorial Hospital and how they worked with us these past two weeks, accommodating our needs as well as Damien’s family,” said Petrovich. “They were excellent, and we appreciate everything they did for the Cape Coral Police Department.”