Linden Police officer Angel Padilla, left, hugs Jeremiah Butler Knight, a third grade student at Linden School No. 5, during a visit to the school, Thursday, Sept. 22, 2016, in Linden, N.J. Padilla, who was injured in a shootout with the man suspected of setting off bombs in the New York City, paid a visit to the school where he is a member of the PTA. Students wrote get well cards for Padilla and officer Pete Hammer, who were both hurt in Monday's shootout with Ahmad Khan Rahami. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
The Associated Press
LINDEN, N.J. (AP) - A police officer wounded in a shootout with the man charged with setting off bombs in New York City and New Jersey visited a school Thursday to thank students for their well wishes.
Patrolman Angel Padilla visited Linden School No. 5, where his grandson attends and where he volunteers with the school's PTA.
Investigators say Padilla was shot in his bulletproof vest on Monday morning by Ahmad Khan Rahami during a shootout that led to Rahami's capture.
One of the fifth grade students in the class asked Padilla how scared he was when he confronted the suspect.
"How scared was I? I was nervous. A bit nervous," Padilla said.
Students at the school wrote get well cards for Padilla and Officer Pete Hammer, who was grazed in the head by a bullet or shrapnel.
"They're my heroes," Padilla said, vowing to come back and play basketball and attend the school book fair.
Both officers were treated and released from a hospital. They have received calls from President Barack Obama this week as well as pizza deliveries sent by town well-wishers.
Rahami remains hospitalized and has yet to make a first appearance on federal charges. Prosecutors have charged him with planting a bomb in Seaside Park, which injured no one, and two in Manhattan. One of the New York City bombs exploded, injuring more than two dozen people; the other didn't detonate.
Arianna Cestona, a third grade student at Linden School No. 5, makes a card for Linden Police officer Angel Padilla, Thursday, Sept. 22, 2016, in Linden, N.J. Padilla, who was injured in a shootout with the man suspected of setting off bombs in the New York City, paid a visit to the school where he is a member of the PTA. Students wrote get well cards for Padilla and officer Pete Hammer, who were both hurt in Monday's shootout with Ahmad Khan Rahami. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
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Linden Police officer Angel Padilla, left, is hugged by Mya Austin, a third grade student at Linden School No. 5, during a visit to the school, Thursday, Sept. 22, 2016, in Linden, N.J. Padilla, who was injured in a shootout with Ahmad Khan Rahami, the man suspected of setting off bombs in the New York City, paid a visit to the school where he is a member of the PTA. Students wrote get well cards for Padilla and officer Pete Hammer, who were both hurt in Monday's shootout with Rahami. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
The Associated Press
Roxy Suggs, right, a third grade teacher at Linden School No. 5, talks to Mya Austin during a class assignment making cards for Linden Police officer Angel Padilla, Thursday, Sept. 22, 2016, in Linden, N.J. Padilla, who was injured in a shootout with the man suspected of setting off bombs in the New York City, paid a visit to the school where he is a member of the PTA. Students wrote get well cards for Padilla and officer Pete Hammer, who were both hurt in Monday's shootout with Ahmad Khan Rahami. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
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Linden Police officer Angel Padilla looks on as third grade students at Linden School No. 5 thank him for his job during a visit, Thursday, Sept. 22, 2016, in Linden, N.J. Padilla, who was injured in a shootout with the man suspected of setting off bombs in the New York City, paid a visit to the school where he is a member of the PTA. Students wrote get well cards for Padilla and officer Pete Hammer, who were both hurt in Monday's shootout with Ahmad Khan Rahami. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
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Leyonnah Walton, a third grade student at Linden School No. 5, makes a card for Linden Police officer Angel Padilla, Thursday, Sept. 22, 2016, in Linden, N.J. Padilla, who was injured in a shootout with the man suspected of setting off bombs in the New York City, paid a visit to the school where he is a member of the PTA. Students wrote get well cards for Padilla and officer Pete Hammer, who were both hurt in Monday's shootout with Ahmad Khan Rahami. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
The Associated Press
Linden Police officer Angel Padilla tears up while listening to third grade students at Linden School No. 5 thank him for his work in apprehending a bombing suspect, Thursday, Sept. 22, 2016, in Linden, N.J. Padilla, who was injured in a shootout with the man suspected of setting off bombs in the New York City, paid a visit to the school where he is a member of the PTA. Students wrote get well cards for Padilla and officer Pete Hammer, who were both hurt in Monday's shootout with Ahmad Khan Rahami. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
The Associated Press