Tulsa Police Officer Zarkeshan Returns Home To Tulsa, Grateful For Support

Officer Aurash Zarkeshan was welcomed back home to Tulsa on Thursday by family, friends and fellow officers.

Officer Zarkeshan has spent the last four months recovering at an out of state rehab facility after being shot during a June traffic stop.

Related Story: Watch: Tulsa Police Officer Zarkeshan Returns To Oklahoma

Family, friends, officers and Sgt. Craig Johnson’s family lined up at Tulsa International Airport to welcome home their brother.

“The last couple weeks we’ve just been counting down the days, sending texts back and forth like man you ready to come home? He’s like I’m ready,” said Lieutenant Todd Taylor with Tulsa Police. 

Officer Zarkeshan thought he was going to be flying back home with strangers, but his buddies surprised him at the airport and flew back home with him.

“He joked a lot with his friends on the plane. He’s in great spirits. He’s just happy to be home. He wants to go see his dog and wants to go eat some Whataburger,” said Lieutenant Taylor.

Officers said it has been a tough last few months after losing one of their brothers and knowing another one was fighting for his life. They said today is a good day for everyone.

“You never expect that these short months later, he would walk unassisted off that aircraft and be welcomed by his brothers and sisters. This is a miracle and it is Zarkeshan day,” said Jerad Lindsey, the Chairman of the Tulsa Fraternal Order of Police.

Mayor GT Bynum was there to welcome him home and signed a proclamation to make today Officer Zarkeshan day. He said he wants Zarkeshan to know just how much Tulsa embraces him and loves him.

“He is the personification of resilience, of hope, of belief that there is a better day ahead. I think that’s what gotten him through all the hard work that he has put in to recover,” said Mayor Bynum.

After hugging family and friends, Officer Zarkeshan came over to the media and thanked all of Tulsa for having his back.