The family of the Apache Junction police officer who was shot last week is expressing their gratitude to the community for supporting them.

Joe Brugman — father of Brian Brugman, who continues to recover from his gunshot wound — sent a statement to the city, asking it be shared with the community.

The statement reads, “We’d like to thank everyone for the incredible outpouring of support for our son Brian. He’s making steady progress toward healing but has a long recovery ahead of him. The quick action of Brian’s fellow officers at the scene of the incident and the skill of his surgeons and medical staff at Mountain Vista Medical Center saved his life. Brian wanted to be a police officer since he was very young. Like him, the men and women who strive to protect others do so because it is their calling. This is certainly the case for the members of the Apache Junction Police Department and for our son. We are so proud of Brian’s dedication to keeping others safe and we’re forever grateful that he can continue to do so.”

AJPD Officer Brugman was injured in a March 16 shooting during a traffic stop in east Mesa. The city’s nonprofit benefactor, the Friends of Apache Junction, has established a Wounded Officer fund to take donations from the community in the name of Officer Brugman.

READ: Arizona DPS to investigate Apache Junction police shooting

Mr. Brugman, 29, has been with the Apache Junction Police Department for four years and three months and was promoted to motorcycle officer in January.

“Brugman remains in stable condition at Mountain Vista Medical Center in Mesa after the incident, where he underwent surgery late Tuesday. We are told he is awake and alert this morning,” according to a release.

Mr. Brugman and other officers received information that a suspected stolen vehicle that had been under surveillance earlier in the week was back in the area on Tuesday afternoon. The vehicle was found in the area of Apache Trail and 102nd Street, in the unincorporated area of Maricopa County, west of the Apache Junction city limits.

Once identified, officers contacted the vehicle in a parking lot in the area, but the suspects tried to ram police officers. An exchange of gunfire ensued and the Apache Junction officer and one of the suspects were hit.