FERGUSON, Mo. — Ferguson Police Officer Travis "T.J." Brown is showing "signs of progress," according to an update posted to his GoFundMe campaign Wednesday.
Brown suffered a life-threatening brain injury Friday night after being knocked to the ground during a protest marking ten years since Michael Brown Jr.'s death at the hands of a police officer. He remains in a coma.
"He has undergone several surgeries and procedures to address the swelling and fluid on his brain," Brown's sister Christina Bailey wrote in the update. "In the past few days, we've witnessed a few small but significant signs of progress—three coughs, and slight movements in his leg and hand. These moments, though brief, filled us with hope and joy.
"(Wednesday), the doctors checked T.J.'s brain activity, and the results were encouraging. While we've been told that recovery will be long and challenging, we remain hopeful."
The update came the same day that Ferguson police released footage from Brown's body camera showing the moment a protester knocked him to the ground and fellow officers quickly responding to get him medical treatment.
"If you look at the video, the officer is standing up, waiting to catch this guy," Police Chief Troy Doyle said during a news conference Wednesday. "This guy tackled my guy like he's a football player."
RELATED: Ferguson police release body camera footage of officer who was critically injured at protest
As of Thursday evening, the GoFundMe campaign had raised over $112,000 to help lessen the financial burden on Officer Brown and his family.
"The outpouring of support has been truly overwhelming, and we are deeply grateful for the generosity and compassion that has been shown to us," Bailey wrote in the update. "It's clear that T.J. is surrounded by so much love, and that brings us immense comfort."
Other community efforts, including prayer vigils and fundraising events, have been made to support the injured officer.
The support for Brown has reached across the river to Columbia and Waterloo, Illinois, where an owner of two local barbecue joints is fundraising for Brown's medical expenses.
Kiwan Guyton, known as 'The Mr. BBQ,' has been in law enforcement for almost 31 years.
As a St. Clair County sheriff's deputy who was badly injured in the line of duty eight months ago, this hit close to home.
"I'm off injured. I got injured helping a local police department inside Saint Clair County to arrest an armed robbery suspect. It could be miles away. It could be a state away. We're always praying for each other. We're there for each other. We have their six, as we call it. We have their back," Guyton said.
Raising money through fried chicken, Mr. BBQ in Columbia and Waterloo is cooking something special for Officer Travis Brown.
Mr. BBQ pledged to donate $10 from every dine-in and carry-out fried chicken meal sold from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 19.
"I saw what happened to Officer Brown. I had to do something. I'm not doing it for accolades, a pat on the back, or any achievement. I want to use my platform with my restaurants to raise money for Travis' family. I'm sure he's got a long road ahead of him," Guyton said.
Doyle said it means a lot to hear about Mr. BBQ's fundraiser and every other fundraising effort supporting his officer.
"Since that tragic day, we've received an outpouring of support. I mean, we have people all across the region who have written the family checks, brought food up to the police station, and purchased officer's meals. I mean, the support has been overwhelming," Doyle said.
Chief Doyle said he's been visiting Brown in the hospital daily.
"It's tough. You can only imagine the pain that I'm going through. Not only did the guy work for me, but he's also a personal friend of mine. He's just a great guy, just an overall great guy. Travis Brown is the type of officer, you can put him in rural Missouri or urban Missouri, and he will thrive. He has that type of personality; he's going to fit in," Doyle said.
Guyton said he'll do anything to support a fellow officer, especially Brown.
"A thin blue line. There is no distance that we won't go to protect one of our brothers and sisters in a time of need. I'm going to pray for Travis's healing and comfort. Pray for the nurses and doctors who are watching over Travis and trying to get him back to good health," he said.
Mr. BBQ anticipates a large crowd come Monday, "Columbia and Waterloo, they are very pro-police, and I'm sure they're going to turn out in groves."
"This is the type of officer you'll see getting out of his police car, dancing with the kids in the streets, and shooting some hoops. He's just one heck of a policeman. Man, we love you. We love you. We want you back here. We miss you," Doyle said.
You can find more information about the restaurant and the location's addresses by clicking here.
