By Mike Genet
The Examiner
INDEPENDENCE, Mo. — Independence police officer Tom Wagstaff remains in critical condition after being shot last Wednesday responding to a burglary and home invasion call, but Chief of Police Brad Halsey offered some encouraging news in a statement posted Tuesday morning on social media.
“There have been optimistic signs, but he still has a long road ahead,” Halsey said of the 42-year-old Wagstaff, a 15-year veteran of IPD. “Your prayers for him are still needed.”
Halsey did not elaborate on the encouraging signs. He said he also wanted the public to know that while the situation has been difficult for his department, its men and women “have not wavered” in their usual duties.
“We remain committed to serving with pride,” Halsey said. “We were strong before this incident, and as a result of the amazing support from our community and our amazing IPD family, we will no doubt be stronger from this point forward.”
Four suspects have been arrested and charged in the case that resulted in Wagstaff being shot – two who allegedly forced their way into the house and fled in a stolen vehicle when police surrounded the house, during which the shooting happened – and two who allegedly drove the suspects to the western Independence neighborhood.
Court documents do not mention the shooting. However, Independence police said shortly after the incident that the suspects had fired while fleeing and officers returned fire. County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker has acknowledged that Wagstaff could have been hit accidentally by a fellow officer’s bullet, from what she called a one-in-a-million event that could never be replicated.
The Kansas City Police Department is investigating the shooting, and a spokesperson there said the department has kept IPD abreast of any developments in that investigation.
Numerous fundraisers have been scheduled or are taking place around the community to support the Wagstaff, not to mention prayers from all over.
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©2017 The Examiner, Independence, Mo.