Ky. Police Officer Reflects on 2023 Ambush and 'Hero' Fellow Officer
What to know
• For the first time since the incident, Louisville Police Officer Brandon Haley talked about his recovery after being shot during a 2023 traffic stop ambush.
• Haley credited Officer Colin Billotto with pulling him to safety, and he said community support helped him through extensive surgeries and ongoing pain.
• Three men were arrested in the case, and one was sentenced to nearly nine years on federal weapons charges.
“He hates that word hero,” said Haley about his colleague. “I tell him all the time, I wouldn't be here without you, and he honestly tells me to stop talking.”
Following the shooting, Haley spent a month in the hospital, undergoing over a dozen surgeries. Even though he has returned to duty, he continues to recover and still feels pain from his injuries. He says he's thankful for the emotional and financial support he's received from the community.
In March, Haley returned to patrolling, and he made a point to revisit the location of the shooting. That step was important in helping him regain his confidence.
“I needed to know that I was comfortable driving that area and being in that area,” he told WLKY. “For me, it was a win. It was a mental win, and this whole process has been physical and mental wins. I wasn't going to stop then, and I'm still not going to stop.”
Three men were arrested in connection with the shooting. One of the suspects pleaded guilty to federal weapons charges and was sentenced to nearly nine years in prison last month. That suspect still faces additional charges, including attempted murder.
This article was written with the assistance of artificial intelligence.