Arnold Police Officer Ryan O’Connor is expected to retire soon, and city officials have agreed to cover the cost of his health insurance premiums for 18 months after his retirement.
O’Connor, 44, who was shot in the head by a burglary suspect on Dec. 5, 2017, was seriously wounded.
His wife, Barbara, is coordinating O’Connor’s retirement with the city, and he will retire in the next few weeks, City Administrator Bryan Richison said.
“This (his retirement) will enable him to become eligible for other benefits,” Richison said.
The city will pay $1,200 a month, totaling $21,600 for 18 months, to cover Cobra health insurance premiums for full family coverage for the O’Connors, Richison said.
O’Connor and his wife have four children.
“He would be eligible for Cobra normally, and I thought paying for it was the right thing to do for the next 18 months for him and his family, and the City Council agreed,” Richison said.
The Arnold City Council voted 7-0 in a June 21 closed meeting to pay the insurance premiums.
Since O’Connor was shot last year, he has had surgeries and spent several months at Craig Hospital in Englewood, Colo., as well as a rehabilitation facility in Omaha, Neb., Arnold Police Chief Bob Shockey said in May.
Richison said O’Connor is now living full time in the St. Louis area, where he is undergoing more rehabilitation.
“There are no more plans to send him out of state for rehab,” Richison said.
The Gary Sinise Foundation recently announced it will build a house for O’Connor and his family in the Fenton area. The (new) house will be “a specially adapted smart home that will enhance (O’Connor’s) rehabilitation process,” the foundation said.
Until that home is complete, O’Connor and his family will have a place to stay, Richison said.
“He will be provided temporary housing of some kind through Workman’s Comp that will be appropriate for his injuries until he can move into his new house,” Richison said.
Once the 18 months of Cobra insurance is paid, the city will no longer provide financial assistance to O’Connor, Richison said.
“He will be able to collect his police pension like any other retired police officer,” Richison said.
He said O’Connor has made progress during rehab and attended a ceremony at Arnold City Hall on May 22, when he received two awards, including an Arnold Police Officer of the Year Award.
“He was controlling his electric wheelchair himself. He was awake and alert,” Richison said.
Shockey said in May that O’Connor has been able to talk and walk with assistance.
Ward 2 Councilman David Owens was absent from the June 21 meeting.