Related article: Indy officer shot serving warrant
By Jon Murray
The Indianapolis Star
INDIANAPOLIS — The condition of a police officer who was shot in the head last week has improved slightly, an Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department spokesman said this morning.
Sgt. Matthew Mount said in a statement that doctors at Wishard Memorial Hospital have upgraded Officer Jason A. Fishburn’s status from “guarded critical stable” to “critical stable.”
“ ‘Guarded’ referred to the possiblity that anything could occur at any moment which would throw his condition into a tailspin towards fatal,” the statement says.
Mount also said Fishburn, while still heavily sedated, has responded to physical tests and has occasionally breathed on his own even though he still is on a ventilator. Doctors are gradually decreasing the sedation level, the statement says.
Here is Mount’s full statement:
“Officer Jason Fishburn’s status has been changed from Guarded Critical Stable to Critical Stable. ‘Guarded’ referred to the possiblity that anything could occur at any moment which would throw his condition into a tailspin towards fatal.
“His doctor has stated that Jason is in a HEAVILY sedated state. They are VERY slowly lowering that sedation to check his bodies reaction to the newer levels as they do so. As stated earlier, Jason has responded to physical stimuli, pain and reflex, and will continue to be tested for his ability to respond to different stimuli such as response to verbal command, as the sedation levels are lowered.
“Although he is on a ventilator, Jason has drawn a breath or two per minute on his own at different times.
“His family, friends and department members continue to provide support and prayers and express gratitude for all of the thoughts that have been expressed and prayers that have been offered on Jason’s behalf. The road to recovery will be a long one, but hope continues without falter.”
Copyright 2008 The Indianapolis Star