A Park Forest, Illinois police officer who was critically injured in a shootout earlier this month suffered a traumatic brain injury.
Officer Tim Jones was shot three times in the jaw and neck by 21-year-old Thurman Reynolds, who died in the exchange, after responding to a call of a break-in at a vacant home in the early morning hours of March 19.
The 1-year veteran of the police department was airlifted to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn for treatment of life-threatening injuries and remained in the ICU after undergoing surgery.
Here is the full statement from the Park Forest Police Department:
One week ago this morning, Officer Tim Jones was critically injured when he was shot while taking a man into custody. We receive many requests for updates on Tim's condition, and the concern is truly, truly appreciated. However, Tim suffered a traumatic brain injury, and that fact that he even survived his initial injuries is a testament not only to the marvels of modern medicine, but to his incredible will to survive. #TimStrong isn't just a hashtag, it's an accurate description of a young officer fighting for his life, and a motto and reminder for the rest of us. Each day that passes is a victory, so today we say, 7 days #TimStrong.
Tim is receiving some of the best medical care in the country, and we are thankful to the medical staff who are caring for him 24 hours a day. We too, like his family, are by his side 24 hours a day, and while we can't take the proactive role that medical staff play, we hope that our will helps sustain his.
We cannot begin to thank you enough for the cards, calls, emails, social media posts, food dropped off at the station, gifts dropped off at the hospital, blue ribbons strung around town, and donations made to our fundraising page for Tim and his family. The support has been overwhelming, and will never be forgotten.
