Morris Co. Man, Special Olympics Athlete Home After COVID Battle

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ - After more than four months of fighting, Colby Douglas is home after besting COVID-19. And he came home to hero's welcome, Thursday.

The 21-year-old Special Olympics athlete with Down Syndrome spent 11 weeks in the hospital, 75 days, before being released to a rehab facility at then end of June.

Morris County Sheriff's Office Detective Sergeant David Kenny presented Colby with a proclamation signed by Sheriff James Gannon that noted Colby's courage at Children's Specialized Hospital in New Brunswick and soon after Kenny, Sheriff's Office Corrections Bureau Corporal Pete Lohmus and Kinnelon Borough Acting Police Chief Joseph Napoletano traveled by motorcycle to give Colby a VIP escort home.

Pequannock Officer Chris Nelson, Morris County Sheriff's Officer Travis Somerville and Pequannock Councilman David Kohle were part of the entourage that greeted Colby at the hospital and saw him safely home in a limousine provided by Sean and Paddy's Limousine Service.

Friends and cheering squads lined Newark-Pompton Turnpike to welcome home a much-missed Colby.

"Thank you to so many, including Pequannock Councilman Dave Kohle and Patrolman Chris Nelson and well- wishers who love Colby and lined a highway leading to his home to let him know how much they missed him," Morris County Sheriff James Gannon said.

Gov. Phil Murphy said back in June that the "extraordinary" Douglas had his inner strength pushed to its limits fighting COVID-19.

"We’re rooting for his full recovery," he said.

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