Wichita police Officer Brian Arterburn headed to rehab soon
Officer Brian Arterburn is improving and on his way soon to a rehabilitation facility.
The Wichita Police Department shared the news on Twitter and Facebook on Friday morning. Sgt. Nikki Woodrow, Wichita Police Department spokeswoman, thanked community members for supporting the 25-year police veteran and asked for their continued prayers during Friday’s regular briefing with reporters.
Update on Officer Brian Arterburn! Brian is improving each day, and going to rehab soon. Please keep Brian in your thoughts and prayers! pic.twitter.com/A6meleTZYA
— Wichita Police (@WichitaPolice) March 10, 2017
“He is improving each day,” she said. “Brian, his family and the Wichita Police Department appreciates the community support and prayers during this tough time.
“Brian is going to be transferred to a rehabilitation center soon. And we ask please to continue to keep Brian, and his family, in your thoughts and prayers during this improvement.”
The update came on what’s quickly become known as #BlueForBrian Friday, a weekly campaign in which the department asks the community to don blue clothing to show their support for the injured officer.
Arterburn has been in a Wichita hospital since Feb. 7 receiving treatment for injuries to his brain, chest and abdomen sustained after he was run over by a stolen fleeing SUV at Kinkaid and Topeka. Unconscious for several days after he was hit, Arterburn underwent multiple surgeries. He started breathing on his own in late February.
In a photo posted Friday on the police department’s social media pages, he’s awake and wearing a ball cap. Arterburn was a first-shift beat officer assigned to the department’s Patrol South bureau at the time he was hurt.
The man allegedly driving the vehicle, Justin Terrazas, is facing criminal charges of aggravated battery against a law enforcement officer and other felonies in connection with the case.
Arterburn was trying to deploy a tire-deflation device when the SUV swerved toward him and ran him over. The police department, following the incident, suspended its use of the so-called stop sticks for 30 days to review procedures and policies for use.
It has since allowed officers to use them again, Woodrow said Friday by e-mail, adding that “there will be training for officers soon on the fundamentals of the system.”
Amy Renee Leiker: 316-268-6644, @amyreneeleiker
Fundraising efforts
To date, the Honore Adversis Foundation has raised $75,000 for injured Wichita police Officer Brian Arterburn, foundation founder and president Paul Zamorano said Friday. That amount does not include the money raised during the Wichita Wagonmasters chili feed and raffle on Feb. 25, he said.
“We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the community for their support of Brian and C.C.,” Zamorano said, referring Arterburn’s wife, Claudale Cavanaugh, who is also a Wichita police officer. “It has been very humbling.”
On Saturday, another fundraising event will be held in Arterburn’s honor. All money collected will also go to the Honore Adversis Foundation, which is an affiliate of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 5.
The “Back the Booth Auction for Brian Arterburn” event is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Wichita Sedgwick County Law Enforcement Training Center, 2235 W. 37th St. North in Wichita, according to an event posting on Facebook. It was organized by the wives of some Wichita police officers.
Cost to participate in the auction is $10. Food will be available for purchase on site.
Donations for Arterburn can also be made directly to the Honore Adversis Foundation at www.thin-blue-line.org.
This story was originally published March 10, 2017 at 9:54 AM with the headline "Wichita police Officer Brian Arterburn headed to rehab soon."