ARNOLD, Mo. – It's a picture that words almost can't do justice.
Arnold Police Officer Ryan O'Connor is now breathing on his own and opening his eyes. It comes almost exactly a month after O'Connor was shot in the head in the line of duty.
The photo is bringing smiles to the faces of those who know O'Connor as well as those working to help support him and his family.
“It was a fantastic thing to see. And to see his wife there supporting him and letting him know that the family is here caring for you,” said Arnold's Third Ward Alderman Vernon Sullivan.
“I was just so happy that the family finally got some sort of news that was encouraging,” said Arnold Food Pantry President Phil Amato.
Amato and Sullivan are two of the people helping organize a huge fundraiser for O'Connor.
“When we heard what happened we knew we needed to do something. And we decided on this concert,” said Sullivan.
January 7 at 7 p.m., the bright lights inside Rickman Auditorium in Arnold will shine on two bands and hundreds of people. That could include two dozen members of Officer O'Connor's family who were given tickets to the event.
“[We thought] in a sad situation they've been faced with for now a month, that maybe they would come out and maybe take a breath and have a little bit of fun,” said Amato.
Organizers hope the photo posted to the Arnold Police Department's Facebook page is the first of many along officer O'Connor's road to recovery.
“We have been praying and thinking of the family and supporting the family. And this is a great opportunity for us to feel that same wonderful feeling that the wife was feeling,” said Sullivan.
Tickets to the fundraising concert are still available. You can buy them in person at the Arnold Recreation Center or the Arnold Food Pantry. You can also buy them online by clicking here.
For more information on the fundraiser, click here.
