LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- More than a year after he was ambushed and shot several times, Louisville Metro Police Officer Brandon Haley is still fighting his way back to the beat.
Haley has undergone nearly a dozen surgeries and procedures since the incident on Sept. 7, 2023, that left him in critical condition. It happened near 38th and West Kentucky streets in the Chickasaw neighborhood, as Haley was attempting to catch up to a car that didn't have lights on. Haley then noticed two people running from the scene, so he got out of his car and radioed for help. As he ran toward the suspects' car, body camera footage shows Haley stumble to the ground as more than 15 shots ring out.
Haley was shot in the torso, and "the impact severely injured his liver, lung, diaphragm and spleen," the Louisville Metro Police Foundation said shortly after the shooting.
Since that night, the road to recovery has included nearly a dozen surgeries and hospital stays, the most recent last week. Rebecca Grignon-Reker, executive director of Louisville Metro Police Foundation, said Haley recently had another surgery to "kind of put his organs back where they belonged."
Grignon-Reker is also the the widow of Peter Grignon, another LMPD officer who was killed in the line of duty.Â
"Just like when Peter died, Louisville had our back," she said. "They have Brandon's back. They have (Nick Wilt's) back. It's encouraging."
Officer Brandon Haley receives a Purple Heart during Louisville Metro Police Department's Award Ceremony hosted by Louisville Metro Police Foundation.
Last month, Haley attended the foundation's annual fundraiser.
"He was actually able to come before his surgery, to our Boots, Badges and Bids event, and he was featured in one of our stories," Grignon-Reker said. "And anyone that saw him there would think everything was fine. He keeps a really brave face."
As Haley recovers, his salary is being paid by the city. But the LMPD foundation is collecting donations to help his wife stay by his side.
"Brandon's goal is to get back to work," Grignon-Reker said. "He is working very hard. He's doing everything the doctors say. He's putting in all the time so that he can get back to serving our city."
Related Stories:
- LMPD officer critically wounded in west Louisville shooting last year needs public's help
- Louisville police say officer shot on patrol in September making positive strides in recovery
- LMPD officer in critical condition after he was shot in Chickasaw neighborhood early Thursday
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