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Police Colleagues Continue Supporting Park Forest Officer Shot By Burglar

(CBS) -- Police departments from all across the Chicago region are sending out a special birthday wish for a brother in blue.

That's because Park Forest Officer Tim Jones almost didn't make it. He was shot in the head while trying to stop a burglary suspect.

CBS 2's Roseanne Tellez looks at how his department and his community are not giving up.

Outside the Park Forest Police Department, blue ribbons fly. Inside, officers wear wristbands and buttons. And the chief says cards still come in -- all in honor of 25-year-old officer Tim Jones, who was shot in the head by a burglary suspect last March.

"Tim is still fighting, so we want to remember him and represent him as he is," Park Forest Police Chief Pete Green says. "He has things to give us in law enforcement and to society. And we're just waiting for him to come back."

Even as he struggles to relearn daily activities, his name's still on the schedule. His mail is still being held. And buddies who attended the academy with him say Jones has what it takes to recover.

"I think that's where the whole 'Timstrong' thing comes from, is because he's such a strong person," Officer Chris Batzel says.

Batzel, standing in front of the Timstrong cruiser taken to the many fundraisers for their colleague, says he's inspired daily.

"I look at that locker every day just for a little bit of encouragement before I go out," he says.

Jones -- on the force for just one year -- is the son of the police chief of Country Club Hills. His family declined to be interviewed, saying they're focused his recovery. The next fundraiser on Jones' behalf is Aug. 20: this year's Battle of the Burbs Baseball Game in Crestwood.

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