Injured Wichita officer ‘breathing on his own,’ police say
Wichita police Officer Brian Arterburn, who was run over by a stolen and fleeing SUV on Feb. 7, remains hospitalized in critical condition but is now breathing on his own.
“He is still critical but is starting to improve. He had surgery yesterday on some of his injuries and that went well,” Sgt. Nikki Woodrow, a spokeswoman for the police department, said during Friday’s regular news briefing with reporters.
“He is breathing on his own and is continuing to fight. Each day he improves a little bit more, so the Wichita Police Department and his family want to thank all of you for your continued thoughts, prayers and support.”
Arterburn, a first-shift beat officer assigned to the department’s Patrol South bureau, suffered injuries to his brain, chest and abdomen when he was run over at Topeka and Kincaid while using a tire deflation device. He is a 25-year veteran of the force.
Justin Terrazas, 31, is charged with aggravated battery against a law enforcement officer and other crimes in connection with the case.
Amy Renee Leiker: 316-268-6644, @amyreneeleiker
Fundraisers
Here are some upcoming and ongoing fundraisers for Wichita police Officer Brian Arterburn, who was critically injured in the line of duty on Feb. 7. Part or all of the proceeds will go to the Honore Adversis Foundation, which has been asked by Arterburn’s family to accept donations on his behalf.
▪ Dinner at Distillery 244 Old Town, 244 N. Mosley, 5-9 p.m. Friday. Tickets are $5 for ages 15 and under, $10 for ages 16 and older and will be sold at the door. Half of sales will go to the Honore Adversis Foundation for Arterburn. The dinner is hosted by Coffee with a Cop and the Wichita Police Department.
▪ Wichita Wagonmasters chili feed, Second and Meade in Old Town Square, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. Wristbands for chili plus toppings are $10; drinks cost extra. All money raised will go to the foundation for Arterburn. T-shirts supporting him will also be sold.
▪ T-shirt sales are ongoing and include two styles: Gray “#BlueForBrian” shirts cost $15 to $16 and can be ordered at https://blueforbrian.itemorder.com/sale. Black shirts, which have an inspirational saying and “ICT LOVES WPD” on them, are $15 to $20 and can be ordered by e-mailing ictloveswichita@yahoo.com. For each shirt sold, $10 will go to the Honore Adversis Foundation.
▪ Proceeds from jewelry sales through “Keep Collective with Andrea Kemp” will also go to Arterburn. Pieces can be viewed and purchased at www.keepcollective.com/soc/o3c89.
▪ Donate directly to the Honore Adversis Foundation at www.thin-blue-line.org.
This story was originally published February 24, 2017 at 10:53 AM with the headline "Injured Wichita officer ‘breathing on his own,’ police say."