Friends, Family Hold Hope Shot Officer Will Fully Recover

INDIANAPOLIS -- Friends and family of Indianapolis Metro police Officer Jason Fishburn, who was shot in the head and chest last week while serving an arrest warrant, are encouraged by slow signs of improvement in his condition.

Fishburn, 29, remained in critical condition at Wishard Memorial Hospital late Monday, but doctors have begun decreasing his level of sedation and said he is responding to stimuli.

John Cobb, a neighbor, watched Fishburn grow up. He and other neighbors said they have fond memories of the officer from when he was a child, 6News' Rick Hightower reported.

Cobb said it's no wonder Fishburn followed his father, Dennis Fishburn, into law enforcement.

"I think Jason admired that. He seemed to get right back into what Dennis was into, and I think that speaks a lot," Cobb said.

Fishburn's uncle, Steve Fishburn, said the outpouring of support from the community has been overwhelming and that the family believes it has kept the officer alive.

"We want to thank the community. We want to thank the police department and the people who have offered prayer," Fishburn said. "How we get through it right now is through that prayer. God is good."

Another of Fishburn's uncles, Alan Fishburn, said the sheer volume of well-wishers has impressed him.

"I cannot believe the number of people that have stopped me or e-mailed me or called me from people I had not heard from in years wishing us well, saying prayers for Jason, hoping that a miracle happens," Fishburn said.

Dennis Fishburn told 6News that his son responded to doctors and family members by blinking an eye, squeezing a hand and other slight movements. That buoys the hopes of family members.

"Jason's the type of guy that, if anybody can beat this, he's got a fighting chance," Steve Fishburn said.

Family members commended doctors for their skilled work. They are waiting to see what the next few days will bring for a long-term prognosis.