Officer Kenneth Healey, cop attacked with hatchet, transfers to LI rehab facility

Rookie NYPD officer Kenneth Healey, who was struck in the head with a hatchet last week during an attack, was transferred from a Queens hospital to a rehabilitation facility in New Hyde Park, police officials said Wednesday.

Healey, 25, left Jamaica Hospital in a wheelchair with his father, and then was taken by van to the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System rehab facility to complete his recovery, the NYPD said.

Healey suffered a skull fracture in what police called a "lone wolf" terrorist act when he was hit with a hatchet wielded by Zale Thompson last Thursday in Queens. Thompson, who also struck another officer with the hatchet, was shot dead at the scene.

Just out of the police academy, Healey was on foot patrol in Jamaica when he was attacked.

By Anthony M. DeStefano

tony.destefano@newsday.comtonynewsday

Anthony M. DeStefano has been a reporter for Newsday since 1986 and covers law enforcement, criminal justice and legal affairs from its New York City offices.