Ferguson police officer fighting for his life

The Ferguson Police Department of today is far different than that city’s force in 2014.

In 2014, just three of over 50 police officers were Black, and there had never been an African American police chief.

In its 120-year history before that year, the highest rank a Black officer held was sergeant. Now, the force isled by a Black chief, Troy Doyle, and his department includes
captains, sergeants and other leaders.

More than half of the department’s staff is comprised of African Americans. These facts were shared by Michael P. McMillan, Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis president and CEO, at 1:30 p.m. Friday August 9, 2024, during a ground- breaking ceremony for the Urban League Plaza on West Florissant in Dellwood, Missouri.

The event was held on the 10th anniversary of Michael Brown’s death, who was shot and killed by a former Ferguson police officer on August 9, 2014.

Before dawn of August 10, a Black Ferguson police officer was hospitalized in grave condition after allegedly being assaulted by a Black assailant outside the Ferguson Police station and hitting his head on the pavement. Injured was Ferguson officer Travis Brown, who remained in critical condition on Wednesday, according to Doyle.
“Our officer is still in bad shape,” Doyle said.

On Wednesday, Brown’s family issued a statement that said in part:

“Travis is more than a police officer; he is a devoted father, son, brother, uncle, godfather, and friend. A man of strong faith, his heart is as big as his smile, and his positive energy is truly contagious.

“TJ is also an athlete, an adventurer, a lover of movies, and so much
more. We know he is determined to continue living life to the fullest once he has recovered. At this time, we kindly ask for your continued prayers as we focus on Travis’s heal-
ing and recovery.”

During a Tuesday press conference, Doyle reviewed video that showed the confrontation developing. The captain said he told his officers to arrest anyone who did property damage. The department was fenced and protestors began pushing on it.

According to a St. Louis Public Radio report, officers walk toward a man whom police identified as 28-year-old Elijah

Gantt of East St. Louis. He flees from the officers. Another clip, which drew audible gasps from the audience, shows Gantt appearing to run directly into Ferguson officer

Travis Brown, causing him to fall backward and hit his head.

“If you look at the video, the officer is standing there waiting to try and catch this guy,” Doyle said Tuesday. “It wasn’t a collision, he’s standing there, and this guy tackled my guy like he was a football player.”

St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell said his office has added a fourth-degree assault
charge against Gantt. He is being held on a $500,000 bail, and was previously charged with first-degree assault, resisting arrest, and property damage.

Doyle said two other officers suffered minor injuries.

“If you haven’t condemned this act or condemned what happened to my officers, you are part of the problem,” Doyle said.

On Tuesday evening, a large crowd returned to the Ferguson Police department to pray for
Brown.

“Mixed races, old, young. I mean look at this crowd. It’s really heart-
warming. This is what community looks like,”

Doyle said during the event.

“This really just needs to be the time that we all come together.” Ferguson Mayor Ella
Jones said loudly during a speech, “It’s good to see us all coming together.

Ferguson is no longer ground zero. This is the ground of hope.”

A GoFundMe page ‘Support Ferguson Officer Travis Brown’ has already raised $45,000 to help Brown’s family with mounting medical bills and other expenses. In addition, Backstoppers is also raising money in support of Brown and his family at backstoppers.org.

Eric Schmid of St. Louis Public Radio contributed to this report.