ENGLEWOOD, Colo. • Ballwin police Officer Michael Flamion, paralyzed by a gunshot during a traffic stop in July, is now able to drive a wheelchair, a statement released today says.
“Mike is doing well in therapy. He is now able to drive a wheelchair, which he controls with a sip and puff straw,” the statement from Michael and Sarah Flamion says.
Message from Mike and Sarah Flamion. #BallwinStrong #Ballwin pic.twitter.com/FwiGj5b9HM
— Ballwin Police Dept (@BallwinPolice) October 2, 2016
Michael Flamion, who was flown to a rehabilitation hospital in Colorado in August, has regained some movement in his shoulders, which allows him to shrug, the statement says. And although still reliant on a ventilator, he is able to eat regular food and have conversations.
Flamion was shot July 8 during a traffic stop. Antonio Taylor, 31, was charged in the shooting. Taylor remains in custody in St. Louis.
Flamion, the statement says, “is working very hard, and his spirits are up, which we attribute to all of the support that we have back home.”
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Multiple fundraisers have been held to help Flamion since he was injured. A fundraising site has raised $362,000 to help the family.
Flamion has been with the Ballwin Police Department since 2014. Before that, he worked for the De Soto department for seven years.
Flamion had stopped a car for speeding northbound on New Ballwin Road about 11 a.m. on July 8, police said. As the officer went back to his car, the driver of the stopped car got out, came up behind him and fired three shots, police said.