Cheektowaga, N.Y. (WBEN) - Cheektowaga Police Officer Troy Blackchief is said to be facing a 'long and difficult' recovery after being struck by a stolen car earlier this month.
Blackchief suffered numerous serious injuries, including a skull fracture and brain injury that required immediate surgery. His condition was updated by Cheektowaga Police Chief Brian Gould on Tuesday.
"Over the past two weeks, Officer Blackchief’s condition has fluctuated. He has since been extubated and is intermittently sedated," Gould said in a statement.
Blackchief is said to be able to communicate with family and care providers on a limited basis.
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"Officer Blackchief’s family and our Cheektowaga Police Department family thank the community for your concern and support. Words cannot appropriately capture the gratitude for the doctors and nurses at ECMC, Buffalo General and the Gates Vascular Institute who have been involved with his care to date. We also thank fellow law enforcement agencies and the sport teams, fire department and club families that continue to offer support," Gould wrote in the update.
The investigation into the incident remains active, according to police.
Crime Stoppers of WNY is providing a reward of up to $5,000 for information related to this incident and urge anyone with information to contact police at (716)-686-7461.