By Nicholas Stix
Fundraiser for wounded Aurora Police Officer Ryan Burns hits $18,500 in 3 days
Burns shot during traffic stop; suspect arrested
By Alan Gathright
8:14 P.M., Nov 21, 2014
12:08 P.M., Nov 22, 2014
The Denver Channel/ABC
AURORA, Colo. - A fundraising drive for Aurora Police Officer Ryan Burns, who was shot during a traffic stop last week, has raised $18,500 in three days.
Started by fellow Aurora officers, the GoFundMe.com campaign soon spread, drawing support from the public. The goal is to raise $30,000 for the officer, his wife and five children. So far, 338 people have contributed in amounts generally ranging from $20 to $100.
The website has a photo of Officer Burns in a hospital bed, giving a smile and a thumbs-up.
"Thank you for your service to our community!" one donor wrote on the website.
"Prayers for a speedy recovery!" another contributor posted.
Officer Burns and his partner were walking up to a car during a traffic stop on the night of Nov. 14. They didn't know the car had just been stolen.
The driver opened fire through a car window and a bullet hit Officer Burns in the upper leg, grazing an artery and shattering bone. His partner returned fire and the driver sped off, crashing the stolen vehicle several blocks away.
MORE | Officer wounded in shooting expected to survive
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"His partner immediately applied a life-saving tourniquet and another officer transported Ryan to the hospital in a patrol vehicle. A suspect was taken into custody on November 19th, 2014 by the Aurora Police Department," fellow Aurora Police Officer Tim Jeffrey wrote on the GoFundMe.com page.
"Officer Ryan Burns is a well-respected 11-year veteran of the Aurora Police Department, a great all around guy and a great Police Officer. Ryan is married, and is the sole supporter to a wonderful wife and the father of 5 fantastic children," Jeffrey wrote.
His recovery is expected to take eight to 10 months.
"Please assist by donating what you can to Ryan's family to get them through the holidays and for Ryan's recovery to avoid any financial hardships," Jeffrey added.
Aurora Police: Suspect in officer shooting, 20, had criminal history
By Jesse Paul
11/19/2014 11:10:18 A.M. MST | Updated: 5 days ago
The Denver Post
81 Comments
AURORA — Police on Wednesday identified the 20-year-old suspect arrested in Friday night's shooting of an officer during a traffic stop and said more arrests in the case could be made.
Jahvell Daquan Forrest, 20, was arrested Tuesday based on information police gathered after they went door to door Sunday in the Aurora neighborhood where the shooting happened. Witnesses initially were reluctant to come forward in the case before the community broke its silence Sunday evening.
Police said Forrest has a long criminal history of misdemeanor offenses.
"Our suspect has no regard for anyone but himself," interim Police Chief Terry Jones said at a news conference. "The investigation is ongoing, and we may have more than one individual."
Police said they believe Forrest is the gunman. He is accused of first-degree attempted murder of a police officer and first-degree assault of a police officer. Information about the suspect came in ahead of a $35,000 reward fund being formed, Jones said.
"Most of it was done with down-and-dirty police work," he said.
The department identified the wounded officer as Ryan Burns, an 11-year veteran of the force.
Burns was shot in the leg about 9 p.m. Friday after he and another officer pulled over a car on the 1700 block of Fulton Street. Burns was hit in his femoral artery, a potentially life-threatening wound.
Jones said Burns' partner quickly administered a tourniquet, given to Aurora officers after the 2012 theater massacre. The tourniquet probably saved Burns' life.
Police say Burns, who remains hospitalized, is in stable condition and is improving.
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