A New York City police officer severely wounded in a brazen daylight hatchet attack has returned to active duty.

Commissioner William Bratton said Friday that the NYPD is really glad to have 25-year-old Kenneth Healey back.

Bratton said Healey has made an incredible recovery after his initially poor prognosis.

Healey was attacked in October in a bustling Queens commercial district during what Bratton has called a terrorist act.

The suspect, who was killed by police, had ranted against America online. But authorities said he had no clear ties to international extremists.

Security video and witness accounts appeared to leave no doubt that Thompson purposely targeted four rookie New York Police Department officers who were in uniform and on foot patrol in a bustling Queens commercial district.

Moments before the attack, the bearded suspect was seen on a street corner crouching down to pull the hatchet out of backpack before he charged the officers and began swinging the hatchet with a two-handed grip, police said.

At the time, the officers were posing for a photo for a passerby. Without a word, Thompson swung at an officer who blocked the blow with his arm, police said. Another officer was hit in the back of the head and fell to the ground.

As the suspect raised the hatchet again, the two uninjured officers drew their weapons and fired several rounds, police said. The bullets killed the assailant and wounded a female bystander, police said. A bloody hatchet, about 18 inches long, was recovered.

(AP)