The Memphis officer who was shot and critically wounded during a trespassing call at a library is fighting for his life, according to his pastor.
Bishop Brandon B. Porter with Greater Community Temple has identified the grievously wounded officer as Geoffrey Redd, a member of the Bishop’s church and director of the church’s security team, WREG reports.
Porter says Officer Redd suffered a head wound in the attack.
Two Memphis officers responded to the library at 12:32 p.m. Thursday.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation says the suspect produced a weapon and opened fire critically wounding one officer.
The second officer, reportedly a trainee, fired back and the suspect was killed, the TBI reports.
The deceased suspect has been identified by the TBI as Torence Jackson Jr. of Indianapolis. Indiana state records show Jackson was arrested 32 times in Indiana since 2017 on various arson, drug, and intimidation charges.
Bishop Porter said Officer Redd is “Just a great soul. A very kind-hearted, mild-mannered individual, but still one that represents our city.”
"We have to stand with our police officers. We may have some bad apples and we have to deal with that, but don't throw the baby out with the bathwater."
Porter is one of the local pastors who delivered words of comfort at Tyre Nichols' funeral Wednesday afternoon, the Commercial Appeal reports.
Nichols was killed in the custody of five Memphis officers in January. The five officers have been charged with second degree murder over the incident, which has been decried as brutality by many in law enforcement.