Family: Shot Officer Shows Signs Of Improvement

INDIANAPOLIS -- Doctors planned to reevaluate the condition of Indianapolis Metro police officer Jason Fishburn Monday morning after family members told 6News Sunday that doctors were going to bring him out of a medically induced coma.

Fishburn, 29, has been at Wishard Memorial Hospital since Thursday night when he was shot while attempting to arrest a man wanted on a murder charge.

Neurosurgeons were concerned about the possibility of blood clots, but family and friends said he was making progress.

"When I was up there, he was moving some of his fingers and toes, which was amazing to see,” one of Fishburn’s childhood friends, Greg Ingram, told 6News' Tanya Spencer Sunday. “And he had tried to take some tape off one of his wrists that was obviously bugging him. So it was good to see little signs like that."

A Sunday service was particularly poignant for members of the Fishburn’s south side church. Members signed cards for Jason and his family, Spencer reported. They’re also taking care of the family’s everyday needs -- making them meals and mowing their lawns while they continue to pray.

“Jason will pull through this and Jason will walk out of the hospital," Fishburn’s uncle, Randy Ellison, said after Sunday’s service. “Doctors can say what they wish, but there is a greater power.”

A fund has been established for Fishburn and his family at the Professional Police Officer's Credit Union at 1502 E. Washington St.

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 Thursday evening.

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 the night of July 6.

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. Reese is scheduled to appear in court Monday morning at 9 a.m.

Watch 6News and refresh this page for updates.