Support pours in for Fort Worth officer injured by suspect fleeing in stolen car
Officer Matthew Brazeal, 34, was having the latest in a series of surgeries at John Peter Smith Hospital on Monday morning while his fellow police officers and well wishers gathered at the Cafe Republic restaurant to raise money for his family.
Brazeal was hit by a car on the shoulder of the road in the 3000 block of West Loop 820 as he prepared to set down stop sticks on June 13. Other officers had tried to stop the Dodge Journey’s driver because of a traffic violation about 11:30 a.m. in the 4200 block of northbound North Freeway, police said.
During the pursuit, they learned the SUV had been reported stolen. Ronnie Jackson Jr., 38, was its driver, police said.
According to police, 25% of Monday’s gross sales at Cafe Republic will be donated to the Brazeal family to offset medical and other expenses. Shortly before 11 a.m., a group of North Texas Albanian-American business owners tallied $2,650 in donations. Total donations, excluding sales from T-shirts, were more than $6,330, police said.
Jared Brazeal, the injured officer’s 27-year-old brother, said Matthew Brazeal’s fiancee was with him at the hospital during Monday’s surgery, but only a few family members had been able to see him since the injury due to restrictions caused by COVID-19. Jared had not been one of those able to visit, he said.
“Our father got to see him a little while on Father’s Day,” Jared Brazeal said.
But support from police officers and support from the community has encouraged the family, Jared Brazeal said. It has been especially encouraging to see this level of support during a time when police tactics are being questioned so loudly, according to Jared Brazeal.
“It’s really great to see all of this support,” the brother said. “We’re grateful. It goes to show that no matter what you see, the support is still there.”
Jared Brazeal said he is not sure what his brother’s injuries, and the coronavirus pandemic, mean for his wedding plans or the future of his career as an officer.
Matt Brazeal has been a Fort Worth police officer for three years. He was previously a law enforcement officer in Parker County and is a U.S. Army veteran who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Jared Brazeal said. His brother is tough, experienced and focused on getting through this, Jared Brazeal said.
“Two days ago he was moved from his ICU (Intensive Care Unit) bed to a regular room,” Jared Brazeal said. “He’s able to eat solid food now, but he’s still in a lot of pain and heavily sedated. But mentally, he’s great.”
Jackson swerved from the road toward Matt Brazeal and intended to hit him with the vehicle, police alleged. He was arrested on suspicion of attempted capital murder, evading arrest with a vehicle causing serious bodily injury and auto theft.
The officer tried to jump out of the way but could not. Brazeal was struck with such force that the equipment from his gun belt was ripped from his body and scattered in a ditch, police said.
Brazeal was dislodged as Jackson drove on a service road, police said.
Jared Brazeal said he first heard about the his brother’s injuries while he was at work in Overbrook, Oklahoma, when his mother came to his job. She was distraught and Jared Brazeal said he immediately knew something was wrong when he saw her.
“I guess in the back of your mind, as dangerous as this profession is, you always expect that something could happen,” Jared Brazeal said. “But you’re caught off-guard. You can never really prepare.”
The family has said that the community and the Fort Worth Police Officers Association has gone above and beyond, said Buddy Calzada, police spokesman.
“It’s been 100 times more than what we could have done,” Jared Brazeal said.
Those wishing to help the Brazeal family offset medical and other expenses can buy a T-shirt and can donate at backthebluehq.com
This story includes information from Star-Telegram archives.
This story was originally published June 29, 2020 at 2:07 PM.
