Valley Brook Police Officer Needs Kidney Transplant After Being Shot In 2017

A Valley Brook police officer who was shot in the line of duty is now facing more health issues.  

Doctors told Brian Southerland his kidneys are failing and he is now in need of a transplant.  

In 2017, Southerland was shot at after chasing a suspect on a pursuit. They came to a stop and when he approached the suspect vehicle, he was shot at. 

"It almost seems like it's not real at first," said Southerland. "But then as it happened, you just take your training and your instinct, and I tried to make cover."

A bullet struck his femoral artery.  He survived five surgeries, a vein transplant and multiple blood transfusions. 

"They say about 20% of that muscle in my leg is gone," Southerland said.

Southerland spent the next several months in rehab, at times learning how to walk again.  Seven months later, he was back on duty.

"I was not going to let any of that affect me," said Southerland. "If I was able to walk and everything, I was going to get right back out there, and if God willing was to let me, I was going to do it."

But last May, there were more complications. He was diagnosed with kidney failure because of a blood transfusion after the shooting. 

"Now trying to process this with the doctors telling me I'm going through kidney failure, it's kind of unreal," said Southerland. 

Southerland is on dialysis, and he is waiting for a transplant.  

A former co-worker started a GoFundMe to help with the expenses. They’ve raised more than $500 so far.