PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — A hero’s homecoming was held Friday for Deputy Dakota Dellechiaie at Tampa International Airport.

The Pinellas County Sheriff’s deputy suffered a traumatic brain injury in October 2024 when his cruiser collided with a propane tanker truck.

The deputy said he was not expecting the welcome he received Friday.

“It was surprising,” Dellechiaie said.

His wife, Angel, said she wasn't sure what was going to happen after the accident.

“I really thought I was going to bury my husband,” she said. “I gave birth without him. I celebrated four of my kids’ birthdays without him.”

She has been by her husband’s side for the last six months at a specialized rehabilitation center in Georgia. Friday, members of their family, including members of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, and even strangers, welcomed the couple home.

“Just to be able to welcome him back because there was a real, real chance when we sent him up there that he might not have come back,” said Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri. “So, just for everybody to be able to be here today and see him walk off that airplane is off the charts.”

“I think it’s very honorable," Angel said. "I think they stopped to pay Dakota respects and I think it speaks a lot for them as well. It’s just really overwhelming."

While overwhelming, that outpouring of support is giving this family added strength to endure a long road of recovery ahead.

“Ready to do what I gotta do,” Dakota said.

Angel said her husband is ready to continue making progress.

“It definitely surpasses any expectation I ever thought his recovery would look like,” she said. “I think all the lows are behind us now.”

Surviving a life-threatening accident, the Dellechiaie family is moving forward surrounded by the support of their friends and family.

“Thank everybody that was here,” Dakota said.