Charles MacDougal was recently named paramedic of the year. He was set to receive that honor Thursday at the very hospital where he was rushed today.
Tuesday, MacDougal came to the emergency room as a patient and was treated by the very people who chose him as paramedic of the year.
The good news is that he has gone home, and is recovering, but the search for his attacker continues.
More than eight hours after being admitted to the emergency room at L.A. County USC, firefighter MacDougal was wheeled out of the hospital in a gurney. His wife was at his side the nine-year veteran of the /*LAFD*/ went home by ambulance.
Asst. Chief David Yamahata says MacDougal is expected to make a full recovery.
"Fortunatly the injuries he received did not injure any critical parts of his body and he was released," Yamahata said.
It happened at 11:50 Tuesday morning, on the corner of Main and Sixth.
Authorities say MacDougal and his partner were driving through Skid Row when they were flagged down by a man on the street, who said that a person inside the /*Cecil*/ hotel needed help.
When MacDougal entered the hotel he was attacked by someone with a knife.
"In my entire 33 year career I have never been involved in a situation where one of our members got stabbed," Yamahata said.
Doctors say MacDougal was stabbed in the thigh.
"It seemed like it was a rather superficial wound," Dr. Leonardo Rodriguez said. "It seems like it will just be a superficial scar most likely."
As police searched for the attacker, McDougal was transported to /*L.A. County USC*/, where he will be honored later this week as paramedic of the year.
"He's a very sweet guy, he's very quiet, but he does a great, great job," nurse Gloria Tolle said.
She is one of the registered nurses here who chose MacDougal as paramedic of the year.
MacDougal is a father of four and works at Station 9, which is one of the busiest fire stations in the country.
According to his chief, MacDougal is planning to attend the luncheon being held at L.A. County USC in his honor later this week.
