FERGUSON, Mo. – There’s no change in the condition of a Ferguson police officer with a life-threatening head injury. Officer Travis Brown was critically injured Friday night during protests to mark the 10th anniversary of Michael Brown’s death.
Sgt. Stan Dooley, a member of the Ethical Society of Police, is still in shock after his friend’s injury. He’s been at Brown’s bedside ever since.
“I don’t like for anything bad or tragic to happen to anyone,” Dooley said. “But it really bothers me when it happens to one of the people that really take pride in what they do and take pride in doing their job and really investing in the community.”
Officer Brown joined the Ferguson Police Department in January. He also served on the frontlines of protests in 2014 as an officer with the St. Louis County Police Department.
“I know we have been going through a change with law enforcement over the last 10 years, especially in the St. Louis community, but Officer Brown, he’s the type of officer that really wants to make that change and really invested in the community because he comes from the community,” Dooley said.
“It’s disheartening when someone that’s really invested and tries to help their community and something tragic like this happens.”
Ferguson police used patrol cars to block parts of Florissant Road this past Friday so people taking part in the peaceful gathering could march safely.
But when authorities saw some protestors had broken and stolen a large portion of the security gate outside the Ferguson Police Department, Officer Brown was part of an arrest team sent out to detain protesters. Police said Brown was knocked to the ground and hit the back of his head, while two other officers suffered minor injuries.
The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged Elijah M. Gantt, 28, of East St. Louis, Illinois, with resisting arrest, first-degree property damage, first-degree assault, and two counts of fourth-degree assault. Gantt remains jailed on a $500,000 cash-only bond. He’s due in court on August 19 for a bond reduction hearing.
Meanwhile, Officer Dooley is asking the community to keep Officer Brown lifted in prayer.
“This is a hard one for the entire community, a hard pill for everyone to swallow,” he said. “We are praying, trying to uplift the family; we’re uplifting him; and the hospital is doing a great job.”
