UPDATE: Officer Mangan was discharged from the hospital on March 11.
———————————
INDIANAPOLIS — A first-year police offer who was still in field training faces a long road to recovery after he was shot in the neck on Sunday, Feb. 27, while responding to a call in Fountain Square. The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department said the gunshot caused significant damage to the officer’s Adam’s apple and voice box.
On Friday, IMPD released the identity of the injured officer: Patrol Officer Thomas Mangan. Mangan underwent surgery on Thursday in order to allow doctors to thoroughly examine the extent of damage inflicted on his voice box by the gunshot.
According to IMPD, Mangan had been rushed to surgery following the shooting on Sunday where a stent was placed in his voice box in order to prevent collapse and secure the ability for him to breathe. Police said Mangan is now fully awake, communicating by writing and receiving nutrition through a feeding tube.
Police said due to the severity of the voice box injury there is uncertainty regarding if Mangan will return to normal breathing, speaking and swallowing.
“This uncertainty will not be resolved quickly. The road to recovery will be long. It will require the input of a voice box specialist and much more fervent and persistent prayer,” IMPD said in a statement.
Police, family, doctors and more hope that following Thursday’s surgery a better understanding will come of the officer’s injuries along with his potential treatment options. Police said the surgery and assessment could not be done immediately due to the severe damage inflicted by the gunshot and because of swelling and bleeding.
“Please pray God would grant skill, wisdom, and insight to the ENT surgery team, that all aspects of the operation might go smoothly, and for continued healing, comfort, and faith for the officer, the officer’s spouse, and the family,” IMPD said.
IMPD said residents can send get-well cards and well-wishes to Officer Mangan at the following address:
IMPD Southeast District
Attn: Officer Thomas Mangan
1150 Shelby Street
Indianapolis, Indiana
46203
On Friday, IMPD also revealed the name of Officer Daniel Majors who discharged his weapon at the suspect during the Fountain Square shooting that injured Mangan. Majors is a seven-year veteran, IMPD said. The civilian-majority Use of Force Review Board will conduct a mandatory review of this police shooting incident as it does for any use of deadly force. The incident is also being investigated by IMPD’s Critical Incident Response Team.
