INDEPENDENCE, Mo. (AP) — An Independence police officer who was injured in a shooting in March received a rousing welcome home after months at a Nebraska rehabilitation center.

A full police escort that included horse-mounted Jackson County deputies led Tom Wagstaff to Independence police headquarters Friday afternoon.

The motorcade stopped briefly so Wagstaff could thank people who lined the streets to welcome him home.

Community residents are being urged to attend a special program honoring Wagstaff Saturday at the First Baptist Church of Blue Springs.

Wagstaff, a 15-year veteran with the department, was critically wounded March 29 when he was shot as he responded to a home invasion robbery.

Investigators say police and two of the men exchanged gunfire suspects fled from the home. Four suspects have been charged.

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INDEPENDENCE, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri police officer who was critically wounded during a home invasion is headed home after months in a Nebraska rehabilitation center.

Officers and the public will converge Friday afternoon at Independence City Hall as Officer Tom Wagstaff is welcomed back with a police escort. A public ceremony is also planned for Saturday at a church in nearby Blue Springs.

Wagstaff was shot in the head in March when he responded to a report of an Independence home invasion. Investigators say police and two of the men exchanged gunfire when the men fled from the home. Four suspects have been charged in the home invasion.