Officer shot released from hospital

MIAMI (WSVN) -- An undercover officer shot in the line of duty is heading home after spending the past week in the hospital.

Miami-Dade Police Officer John Saavedra gave a thumbs up as he left Jackson Memorial Hospital, in the back seat of a dark-colored minivan. "We're just all very happy and excited that everything worked out the way it did," Miami-Dade Police Officer Dela Horace said. "John's a super guy. He's a hero. He saved the other officer's life on the scene, and it's a good day ... I couldn't be happier."

The 34-year-old Miami-Dade undercover officer took a bullet during a drug bust on July 31.

Miami-Dade Police received a tip that marijuana was being grown inside the home located at 2325 SW 60 Ct. in Southwest Miami-Dade.

When officers arrived at the home, the suspect, 56-year-old Gerardo Delgado Sr., fired several shots at Saavedra.

The law enforcement officer was struck three times. Horace said, "I was actually out of the country [when I heard John was shot], and I turned my phone on to check on the status of things at home, and obviously it blew up, because people I work with knew how close we were."

Authorities returned fire, shooting and killing Delgado.

A second suspect was apprehended and remains behind bars.

Saavedra must still undergo rehabilitation, but his loved ones and colleagues are glad that he is still alive. "It's sobering. You realize how short life can be, and you live it like that," Horace said.

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