FERGUSON, Mo. — A police officer who was seriously injured in an incident Friday night was still hospitalized Sunday with no change in his condition, a spokesperson with the Ferguson Police Department told 5 On Your Side.
Officer Travis Brown was "charged" by a protester who was fleeing from police. A few people damaged the fence at the police station, causing police to step in and make arrests.
Travis Brown fell backward, striking his head and causing severe brain injuries.
Brown was a former officer with the St. Louis County Police Department. He joined the Ferguson police department in January.
Former St. Louis County Police Chief Tim Fitch says "TJ" has a contagious smile and an aura that makes him incredibly special.
"I'm hoping and praying that he comes out of this and can get back to work because we need people like him in our community serving in law enforcement," he said.
TJ's family was staying with him around the clock in the hospital.
Friday night marked 10 years since Michael Brown Jr. was killed by a Ferguson police officer. People were gathered along Florissant Road near the police station to reflect on the changes made and the changes still needed. People who witnessed the group said they were peaceful until a small number of people caused a disturbance, damaging the fence.
"This went on all day long with no issues. Police were there to help, blocking streets, keeping people safe, and it was like during 2014, it was like a light switch after a certain hour," Fitch said.
Police documents said Elijah Gantt, of East St. Louis, was the person who ran into Travis Brown. Gantt, 28, was being held on $500,000 bond.
Chief Troy Doyle emotionally defended his department at a news conference Saturday.
"What are we protesting?" Doyle asked passionately. "What are we doing here?"
Fitch shared the same frustrations Doyle expressed.
"He was basically saying, 'What else do you want us to do? Look what we've done in 10 years. We've completely turned over this police department,'" he said.
Doyle said that police were trying to work with protesters that evening and had shut down Florissant Road. Doyle said that his department had been a "punching bag" for the community since 2014.
"I had to look his mother in the eye and tell her what happened to her son," Doyle said.
Angelique Kidd of Ferguson said police never declared an "unlawful assembly" before making arrests. She asserted that the police action caused chaos and caused the injuries.
Fitch is asking everyone to keep Officer Brown and his family in your thoughts and prayers.
"No matter what, it's going to be a long road to recovery," he said.
Fitch said even though there's anger on both sides, he wants the community to keep pushing on.
"We can't let this stop us from moving forward. We have to bring the good people the community back together and say, 'Okay, this was a downside, definitely, it was a setback.' We need to move forward and keep those positive initiatives going on in that community, not just that community, but the whole St Louis region," he said.