Local

Former APD officer says city won't pay for surgery related to on-duty shooting

ATLANTA — Former Atlanta Police Officer Pat Cocciolone wants the city to pay for surgery to relieve chronic pain she says she's enduring because of the gunshot wounds she suffered in the line of duty 17 years ago.
 
Cocciolone and her partner, Rick Sowa, were gunned down by Gregory Lawler outside his Buckhead apartment in 1997 after they responded to a domestic dispute call.  Sowa died at the scene.  Cocciolone suffered six gunshot wounds but survived. 
 
She endured several surgeries and therapy to be able to walk and talk again.  Now, she's requested the city pay for the surgery to relieve pain in her injured arm.  But the city denied the claim.
 
"I just can't believe it," said Cocciolone. "This is just because of the shooting.  I mean, I was shot in six places.  I'm not asking a whole lot here, I think."
 
Cocciolone and her attorney Danny Levitas filed suit against the city, and said a judge ruled in their favor.  However, the city appealed that decision.
 
Atlanta's Chief Financial Officer J. Anthony Beard said they've fully supported Cocciolone and will continue to do so.  He added that the city has paid out $1.8 million for her medical bills.  But this time, he said, they have doctors who just aren't sure this latest surgery request is related to the 1997 shooting. That's why they want a court to make the final decision.
 
"The city of Atlanta is proud of Officer Cocciolone and the sacrifices she's made," said Beard.  "Two doctors basically say that the injuries in question were not sustained as part of her injuries on duty.  So we've asked a court to clarify that, and we look forward to a swift resolution."

Levitas said the original judge decided to take the medical advice of Cocciolone's doctor of 17-years over the advice of the city's two doctors.

The appeals judge should make a final ruling after the first of the year.