LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18)– Although still in critical condition, a deputy who visited an injured officer in the hospital says he gave them a “thumbs-up” response.
It was a welcome sign of hope from Deputy Jaime Morales.
Morales was shot in a gunfight with a serial bank robbery suspect at a rest stop on I-75. Morales was responding with federal agents to the report of a suspicious vehicle.
The vehicle was being driven by Edward Reynolds, 57, of Sarasota, Fla. The FBI says Reynolds was wanted on a warrant for the robbery of a BB&T bank. Reynolds was killed in crossfire.
Morales has been with the sheriff’s office since 2016. He was a former Corporal in the United States Marines.
He was wearing a bulletproof vest. Morales remains critical but stable. The deputy tells LEX 18 he responded with two thumbs-up in response to a question about his well being.
At a Kentucky State Police press conference on Thursday, a moment of silence was held for Morales.
