Hundreds Gather For Prayer Vigil For Officer Injured During Student Protest

DENVER (CBS4/AP) - Hundreds of people attended a vigil Saturday for a Denver police officer seriously injured during a student march.

The family of Officer John Adsit issued a statement thanking people for their thoughts and prayers. They say Adsit remains in critical condition after undergoing eight surgeries and coming down with pneumonia.

Adsit and three other bicycle officers were hit by a driver who suffered a medical emergency as they monitored a protest of hundreds of students from Denver's East High School on Dec. 3.

Adsit's cousin detailed his devastating injuries, which include broken bones, organ loss and severed arteries.

"It was incredibly emotional and encouraging as he was able to smile and mouth, 'I love you' to his family this week," Adsit's cousin told the gathering.

The students were protesting a decision not to prosecute police in Ferguson, Missouri in the death of an unarmed black man.

"He was doing his job to protect our community and I think it's important for our community to come together to show support for him and his family," said John Marx, a retired Westminster police officer.

East High senior Jack Burney and his father Alex announced $10,000 they'll hand over to Adsit's family that was raised by the community in the last nine days.

"Being a police officer is a thankless job and we really appreciate all they do for our community,"  Jack Burney said.

"I just wanted to make sure that the police officers who we all think very highly of and who are in fact heroes knew that the East community wasn't entirely about protesting their actions; but in fact when there are accidents such as this, that the East community will actually rally around and do something positive," Alex Burney said.

Jack Burney says students will continue to raise funds.

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