Associated Press

Jersey City Police Officers from left to right, top row: Mark Dinardo, Michael Camacho, Marc Lavelle; bottom row: Mark Molina and Port Authority officer Dennis Mitchell. (AP Photo)

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JERSEY CITY, N.J. — Two police officers seriously injured during a wild gun battle remained in critical condition Friday, while another officer whose bulletproof vest likely saved his life prepared to be released from the hospital.

Police continued to hold vigil at Jersey City Medical Center for Officers Marc DiNardo and Michael Camacho. They were among eight officers wounded in a shootout that left two armed robbery suspects dead.

DiNardo, 37, who was shot in the left side of the face, remained in critical condition Friday, Jersey City Police Director Sam Jefferson said. Doctors said Thursday that DiNardo had no signs of life when he was brought in and that the officer had to be revived several times.

"Everybody's upbeat. They're looking for him to pull out of it," Jefferson said Friday.

Camacho, 25, who was shot in the neck, had improved to the point where doctors were considering removing a breathing tube so he could breathe on his own, Jefferson said.

Officer Frank Molina, 35, who was shot in the back, was expected to be released from the hospital Friday afternoon or evening.

"The two slugs knocked him down," Jefferson said. "That vest saved his life." Continue reading