INDIANAPOLIS — The final six months have been stuffed with challenges, triumphs and new life classes for Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Division Officer Thomas “Tommy” Mangan and his spouse, Emory Mangan.

A number of weeks into his discipline coaching, on Feb. 27, Tommy was responding to a name with different IMPD officers in Fountain Sq., chasing a suspect that fled on foot, when he was injured in a taking pictures. Tommy had been struck within the neck, inflicting vital harm to his voice field and Adam’s apple.

“It’s been fairly the journey and it’s nice to be speaking once more and getting again into extra regular — if there may be ever a standard — life actions,” mentioned Tommy.

“He’s regained his voice; It’s totally different, he’ll by no means be capable of be very loud as a result of he doesn’t have vocal chords, however we’re simply so grateful the lord’s given him his voice again,” Emory added.

The taking pictures has served as a reminder that nobody name is routine in regulation enforcement and what occurs on a run can change numerous lives within the blink of an eye fixed.

“We’ve shed plenty of tears collectively, it’s been plenty of grieving, it’s been difficult, clearly, the toughest factor that we’ve ever confronted in our lives,” mentioned Emory.

Via many tears, together with ones shed out of disappointment, and others out of pleasure, Tommy and Emory mentioned they’ve discovered their supply of power in lots of locations, together with their two biggest, their love for one another and their religion.

“We will undergo the tough instances with pleasure as a result of we all know, it doesn’t matter what is sooner or later, in the end God is with us and what occurs is for our good,” mentioned Tommy.

“God is aware of what we’d like and prepares us for what’s going to return about and he knew I’d want any individual actually sturdy by my facet and I’m actually glad that’s Emory,” he added.

In sharing their story, Emory mentioned they’re hoping to remind folks of this: “Even within the midst of struggling, there may be objective.”

“If you’re in the midst of it and the times are so darkish and exhausting, it may be straightforward to lose sight of why that is occurring,” added Emory, “We could by no means totally know why this occurred, but it surely’s given us alternative to share the love of God with different folks.”

On March 11th, dozens of IMPD officers, medical employees and first responders lined the hallways of the hospital as Tommy was discharged. That day marked the beginning line of his journey in the direction of therapeutic.

“He retains getting stronger daily. We began going again to the fitness center in July and lifting some weights, attempting to place some weight again on. Once we first acquired residence, he may barely stroll to the lavatory, he was simply so weak,” mentioned Emory.

“When it first occurred, we didn’t know if he had mind harm, if he would ever be capable of have his trach out, ever be capable of have his feeding tube out,” mentioned Emory. “There have been plenty of exhausting truths we have been dealing with and plenty of unknowns.”

Earlier than Tommy re-gained his power again to talk, Emory mentioned the couple would talk by signal language, writing notes and studying lips. She remembers one time particularly that proved to them, they already had every little thing they wanted, and extra.

“I simply bear in mind one time we have been speaking; I used to be getting quite a bit higher at studying lips — so he may simply — it was so enjoyable. As an alternative of getting to write down, he may simply mouth the phrases and I used to be understanding him,” she defined. “We each have been simply saying, if that is how the remainder of our life is, it’s actually good. We get to be collectively. We had that peace then and there. As extra progress is made, it seems like an additional present.”

Though they’ve celebrated new milestones and triumphs, the highway to restoration hasn’t at all times been a stroll within the park. The couple mentioned, by the challenges, their love has grown even deeper than they knew it may.

“We’ve realized the right way to love one another higher. It hasn’t at all times been straightforward. We’ve been by plenty of exhausting instances and miscommunications, as you possibly can think about when he couldn’t discuss and simply being exhausted and overwhelmed and but, the Lord has given us the grace to simply hold loving each other and our love has grown by this.”

Tommy and Emory’s power to navigate the restoration course of has additionally come from their household, mates, brothers and sisters in blue, and the overwhelming assist from group members, together with numerous strangers.

“We’re very grateful for the entire assist,” mentioned Tommy.

Tons of of handwritten playing cards from folks of all ages have supplied encouragement and assist in Tommy’s restoration. The couple mentioned that assist has been extra appreciated than phrases than specific.

“Individuals don’t simply ship letters anymore, so we have been so overwhelmed by how many individuals took the time to ship letters and go get a card and write us a word and put it within the mail. It’s very considerate,” Emory shared.