An NYPD officer who was stabbed and slashed seven times by a pair of Bronx muggers while off-duty last week was all smiles as he was released from the hospital Monday evening.
Det. Jose Mercedes was wheeled out of Jacobi Medical Center in Morris Park to salutes and rapturous applause from dozens of fellow Finest as bagpipes played in celebration of his release.
A grinning Mercedes then stood up from his wheelchair as he left the hospital, flashing a thumbs up at the crowd of cops that gathered.
The detective – a 10-year veteran with the NYPD – was off-duty when two goons on an e-bike tried to snatch his gold chain while he was clearing out the trunk of his car in Norwood on Friday afternoon, officials said.
Mercedes, who works out of the 44th Precinct, put up a fight and tried to defend himself from the crooks.
The brutes stabbed the detective multiple times before ripping the chain from his neck, according to cops.
Footage from the scene shows Mercedes bleeding profusely before he was rushed to Jacobi Medical Center.
His attackers are still in the wind, police said Monday.
