BALLWIN, Mo. _ Officer Michael Flamion, shot in a traffic stop last week, suffered permanent injuries, his department announced Tuesday afternoon on Facebook.
In a video, Chief Kevin Scott says, "He remains in stable but critical condition, however it is coming to light that his life, and that of his family, will forever be changed by his injuries. He will require long-term medical care and we are confident that the community will stand by him on his long and difficult journey."
Flamion was shot in the neck from behind while walking back to his patrol vehicle to make a records check after stopping a car for speeding on New Ballwin Road in the St. Louis area about 11 a.m. Friday, officials said.
Antonio Taylor, 31, who has a criminal record of gun crimes, was arrested a few miles away, in Manchester a short time later, and a semi-automatic handgun was recovered. Taylor was charged Friday with first-degree assault of a law enforcement officer, armed criminal action and unlawful possession of a weapon.
Bail for Taylor, of St. Louis, was set at $500,000. While Taylor might have faced prison again if caught with a gun, Officer Benjamin Granda of the St. Louis County police, the agency in charge of the investigation, said detectives have not determined exactly why he shot Flamion.
Taylor appeared at an arraignment Monday in St. Louis County Circuit Court, telling Judge Joseph Dueker that he wanted to represent himself "Pro Per." The legal term to represent oneself is "pro se." Dueker told him he didn't know what "pro per" meant and gave Taylor until July 27 to decide how he will be represented.
Flamion's injuries have qualified him for The Backstoppers' Catastrophic Injury Fund, said Ron Battelle, executive director of the nonprofit that provides financial assistance to the families of slain first responders. The special fund aids those whose duty injuries are permanent.
Past recipients include two officers who were paralyzed by gunshots, one who was blinded in a shooting, and another who lost his legs after being hit by a car, Battelle said.
The board of directors can authorize a donation as high as $100,000, and an amount has not yet been set for Flamion's family, he said.
Rick Draper, who was Flamion's chief in De Soto before the officer switched to the Ballwin force two years ago, said Tuesday, "We are all hopeful that 10 years from now we can look back at this as a crazy time, but I also understand the struggle he has ahead of him."
Draper said Flamion has not been able to breathe on his own since being shot. He said he and others from De Soto remained friends with Flamion and met with his relatives at Mercy Hospital St. Louis, in Creve Coeur.
"He's certainly not out of the woods. He's a very active person and doesn't like people taking care of him. He has only been able to communicate by moving his mouth, Draper said.
Draper noted that Flamion has been concerned about having other officers cover his shift. "He's the kind of guy that likes to pull his own weight," the chief explained.
Flamion, 31, who is married and lives in House Springs, was a De Soto officer for seven years before joining the Ballwin department.
Draper said his department also has received overwhelming support from the community in the form of thank you notes, spontaneous food and treat deliveries.
"There's a lot of different emotions that we are feeling in the law enforcement community and there are different levels of mourning, but the outpouring of support our police department and others is receiving _ it's inspiring," Draper said.
A GoFundMe account was established for Flamion and his family on Saturday by other Ballwin officers. By Tuesday, it had raised about $100,000 toward a $250,000 goal. In his Facebook post, Ballwin Chief Scott urged people to visit the page for updates on Flamion's condition.
Scott also thanked the community for it's support of the department and Flamion's family.
"The family realizes that it's impossible to thank each person individually, but they want you to know there are no words to express their gratitude for your ongoing support," Scott said. "From the kind words and handwritten notes, to the blue ribbons hung throughout our city, to the food and financial donations. The family has been deeply touched by each one of these kind acts."
