Ferguson officer critically injured at protest on the 10th anniversary of Michael Brown’s death

FERGUSON, Mo. — A Ferguson, Missouri, police officer was critically injured outside the city’s police station during protests on the 10th anniversary of the fatal shooting of Michael Brown, a pivotal moment in the national Black Lives Matter movement, police said Saturday.

Ferguson police chief Troy Doyle said Officer Travis Brown suffered a severe brain injury Friday after being knocked to the ground.

“He is in an area hospital right now fighting for his life,” Doyle said.

Two other officers were also injured, one sustaining an ankle injury and another an abrasion.

The team of officers went out to make arrests Friday for destruction of property at the police station, where protesters gathered to remember Michael Brown, the unarmed Black 18-year-old who was killed by Darren Wilson, a white police officer in 2014.

Doyle said Travis Brown started with the department in January and previously worked for the St. Louis County Police Department.

“He wanted to be part of the change,” Doyle said. “I wanted to make an impact in our community. He’s the type of officer that we want in our community. And what happens? He gets assaulted. I had to look at his mother de ella in the eye and tell her what happened to her son de ella. I’m never going to do that again, I promise you that.”