Wounded Officer's Family Reports Progress From Bedside

INDIANAPOLIS -- An Indianapolis police officer shot during a confrontation with a murder suspect remained in a medically induced coma Saturday, but his family reported progress from his bedside.

A member of Officer Jason Fishburn’s family told 6News they had seen some movement in his fingers and eyes, and that he had even raised his hand a little when his mother touched him.

Fishburn, 29, suffered a gunshot wound to the head and a less-severe injury to his chest, where a bullet struck his bullet-proof vest, doctors said.

At a news conference Friday, Wishard Hospital's top neurosurgeons said they were "cautiously optimistic" about his condition.

They said the next 24 hours will be critical in Fishburn's survival, although they would not speculate on his recovery.

Fishburn's father asked people during a news conference Friday morning to pray for his son.

"We hope that he will get whole; we hope that he will get well," said IMPD Sgt. Dennis Fishburn, the father of Officer Jason Fishburn. "I am a firm believer in the power of prayer. If we can say that something as negative as what happened last night can bring this community together, then so be it."

Police said Fishburn was working with the IMPD narcotics unit and serving a warrant for the arrest of Brian Reese, 36, in the 1400 block of Bosart Avenue just after 7 p.m. Thursday.

Reese -- who police said was wanted in one of the city's recent homicides -- fled the scene in a van driven by his mother, according to the police report. He bailed out in a parking lot near the Linwood Square Shopping Center and a foot chase began, police said.

During the chase, police said, Reese pulled out a handgun and fired at officers, wounding Fishburn twice -- once in the chest and once in the head.

Officers fired back, hitting Reese in the shoulder.

Both Reese and Fishburn were transported to Wishard Hospital.

Reese's mother -- Barbara Reese -- was arrested and charged with obstruction of justice fleeing law enforcement. She said her son had told her he was on the run, according to the police report.

Brian Reese is a suspect in a killing that happened earlier this week.

Clifford Haddix, 69, was found shot to death in his home in the 3000 block of Newton Avenue Sunday night.

"Officer Fishburn is our hero," Spears said. "Officer Fishburn was out there doing everything the citizens of this city want from our police department. He was out there fighting for a victim who couldn’t fight for himself, for a 69-year-old man who was brutally and savagely and cowardly murdered within his own home.”

The Newton Avenue shooting is one of 12 killings in Indianapolis in the past 11 days.

Brian Reese has an extensive criminal history, according to police records, including arrests for resisting law enforcement, operating a vehicle while intoxicated, possession of marijuana and theft.

He was released from Wishard Hospital, and was transported to the Marion County Jail.

Police said a fund had been established for Jason Fishburn and his family at the Professional Police Officer's Credit Union at 1502 E. Washington St.

Jason Fishburn is a five-year veteran of the force, police said.

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