After nearly one year, the Burbank Police Department is celebrating the return of Officer Gregory Campbell to duty.
    Campbell, of Santa Clarita, survived severe gunshot wounds from a November 2003 shoot-out in front of the Ramada Inn in Burbank where his rookie partner, Matthew Pavelka, 26, of Canyon Country, was killed…

    The primary shooting suspect, David A. Garcia, escaped the crime scene and fled to Mexico, but was later returned to the United States by Mexican authorities because he is not a Mexican citizen. He faces charges of special circumstance allegations of the murder and attempted murder of a peace officer in the line of duty in a Pasadena courtroom.
    Burbank Chief Tom Hoefel said 42-year-old Campbell’s slow progress has given him enough strength to return to the station Aug. 16 for limited tasks.
    “We are very excited to have him back,” Hoefel said.
    Hoefel was one of thousands of peace officers and firefighters who swarmed Valencia on motorcycles to honor fallen comrades, and give financial and emotional support to surviving families.
    Neil Fisher, a Santa Clarita Sheriff’s Station volunteer, said organizers for the ninth annual Downed Officer Support Ride expect this year’s figures add to the $75,000 collected since the inaugural ride in 1996. More than 2,500 registered for the ride, up 12 percent over last year’s attendance.
    “The ride is open to anybody,” Fisher said. “This brotherhood of officers are raising funds to help firefighters and law enforcement with any catastrophic event.”

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