NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — A veteran FDNY lieutenant was recovering in hospital late Friday afternoon, after being shot and wounded during a standoff with a suspected gang member on Staten Island.

As CBS2’s Christine Sloan reported, both Mayor Bill de Blasio and Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro went to Richmond University Medical Center Friday, visiting Lt. James Hayes, 53. The mayor called Hayes a true hero.

“Lieutenant Hayes is a very, very impressive guy – cool, calm, collected. He’s making light of his injuries,” de Blasio said. “Thank God, thank God his injuries are limited as they were. And that really is extraordinary given the situation he’s in.”

Hayes, a 31-year veteran of the department with Engine 158, was shot in the hip and ankle by Garland Tyree, 38, as Tyree held police in a standoff on a probation violation warrant. The standoff ended with Tyree storming out of the Mariners Harbor house opening fire, and police shooting and killing him.

When Hayes was shot, both bullets exited his body, and his injuries were not life-threatening.

Nigro said the father of two, surrounded by his family, was in pain. But his spirits were high.

“I think he realizes he came very close to not being with us, and seeing his family, he’s very happy,” Nigro said.