Council honors injured officer

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - At Monday night's meeting, the City-County Council recognized a metro police officer injured in the line of duty by passing a resolution in his honor.

Officer Jason Fishburn was shot while chasing down a homicide suspect last July. Monday night, dozens of police officers and Fishburn's entire family gathered in council chambers for the emotional moment.

"The definition of a hero for the Fishburn family is one who does what he has to do, regardless of the consequences. And Jason indeed did that on July the 10th," said Officer Fishburn's father, Dennis.

Since then, Officer Fishburn's severe injuries have limited his speech. But that didn't prevent him from quietly uttering a few words at the council meeting, which resonated loudly with everyone.

"I just want to say 'Thank you'," said Fishburn.

The resolution honoring Fishburn's courageous actions in the line of duty not only hit home with his immediate family but also his brothers in blue.

"His family has shown our police department, and indeed our city, how to turn fear into courage and anxiety into faith and trust. They've shown us how to live through an ordeal like this," said IMPD Chief Michael Spears.

Dennis Fishburn said Jason's healing is far from over but he is showing signs of improvement, like primarily using a cane instead of a wheelchair.

"It's a part of healing. Every time something like this happens, our hearts are full of joy. It helps us heal inwardly to help the physical healing that Jason is going through," said Dennis.

Dennis Fishburn added that Jason still hasn't gotten used to being recognized for his actions because he believes he was just doing his job.