INDIANAPOLIS — February 27, 2022 is a day that forever changed the life of Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Officer Thomas Mangan.
Mangan was shot in the neck while responding to a call in Fountain Square. After shots were fired, his partner, Officer Dan Majors and four other officers rushed to help their wounded colleague.
IMPD says less than five minutes after the gunfire ended, firefighters on IFD Engine 3 arrived at the scene. The four firefighters went into the scene, loaded Mangan into the fire engine and met an ambulance on the way to the hospital.
"There's family that is blood related; there's a really tight bond that's there. Family is also who God puts in your life and [who] are there for you. Out in the community you don't know who those people are until you say hi to them," Mangan said.
On Friday, Mangan was awarded the Purple Heart and Medal of Valor. Officer Majors was also awarded a Medal of Valor. The IFD firefighters each got a life-saving certificate.
PREVIOUS: 'It's about service' IMPD officer who was shot and critically injured in Feb. finds strength in his faith | 'It hasn't been easy': Injured IMPD officer, wife share health update and message of thanks
Mangan said the event brought tears to his eyes and he expressed his gratitude for those around him. The shooting damaged his Adam's apple and voice box and he has been working on speech exercises as his voice strengthens.
"I can also thank all of them in person and thank them personally since I haven't been able to thank them in the past when I couldn't speak," Mangan said.
Like she has been throughout Mangan's journey and recovery, his wife Emory Mangan joined him at the ceremony.

-
Proposed ordinance to target late-night food trucks after downtown shooting
What exactly the ordinance will include is still unknown. Whether it will limit operating hours, specific streets or the number of trucks permitted downtown has not been clarified.Silver Alert cancelled for missing 89-year-old from Posey County
Indiana State Police have issued a Silver Alert for an 89-year-old white female. Lola Davis, an 89-year-old female, is 5 feet 8 inches tall, 175 pounds, and has gray hair and green eyes.Bloomington determined to turn hospital site into housing
The city of Bloomington wants to build hundreds of affordable housing units on the site, but none of them are intended for students first.Youth gun access sparks concern following mass shooting in downtown Indianapolis
Access to firearms for children remains a pressing issue, highlighted by the recent mass shooting downtown that left two teenagers dead and five others injured, all under the age of 21.