Kansas City police officer shot in July offers advice: ‘Actions have repercussions’
A Kansas City police officer shot in the head in July will likely be returning to Kansas City soon, department officials said.
The wounded officer, who has not been publicly identified, has been talking and walking without assistance for the past week, according to the Kansas City Police Department.
“He is getting stronger and better every day and continues to build his strength and mobility,” a Wednesday news release from the department read.
While the officer isn’t paralyzed, his injury makes it difficult for him to control the left side of his body, police said.
The officer is expected to return to Kansas City soon, where he will get help from a long-term outpatient rehabilitation facility, according to the news release. His medical team hopes the officer will be able to return to work in some capacity in the future.
On July 23 he was released from the hospital after undergoing emergency surgery and transferred to an out-of-state rehabilitation facility that focuses on brain injuries and neurological rehabilitation and recovery, a police spokesman said at the time.
The department said it has received many questions from community members asking how they can help the officer.
Members of the department asked the officer, who replied: “Actions have repercussions so think twice before you react with violence and treat others the way you want to be treated.”
The officer, who has been with the department about 2 1/2 years, was wounded July 2 while responding to a report of a man waving a gun at a McDonald’s restaurant near 31st and Van Brunt Boulevard.
He and another officer ran after the man as he fled. During the chase, the suspect turned and shot at the officers, striking one. The second officer fired back, killing 31-year-old Ky Johnson, whose family said he was struggling with a mental illness.
The officer’s family again extended their thanks to the community for their prayers and support.
“He appreciates all of the cards, gifts and visits that he has received but is missing having everyone around him to include his family and loved ones,” the Wednesday news release read. “He is anxious to come back to Kansas City to regain a sense of normalcy.”
Gun violence will be the subject of a new, statewide journalism project The Star is undertaking in Missouri this year in partnership with the national service program Report for America and sponsored in part by Missouri Foundation for Health. As part of this project, The Star will seek the community’s help.
To contribute, visit Report for America online at reportforamerica.org.
