Mon, Nov 13th, 2023 - 2:13pm
July 27, 2023 - 3:53pm | By Tom Tucker
(Fargo, ND) -- The public is hearing for the first time from injured Fargo Police Officers Andrew Dotas and Tyler Hawes, since the the pair was critically injured in the exchange of gunfire on 25th Street South.
"I moved up here seven years ago to Fargo for a cop job. I was a young kid. Didn't know much about anything other than being down in The Twin Cities and I would say when I came up here there was something very different about this community and I could fee it right away. It's incidents like we had a couple weeks ago where you start to realize where the community really steps up," said Dotas.
Dotas made the videotaped comments from his hospital bed, where he continues to recover from his injuries.
The video was played at Scheels Arena during Wednesday's Celebration of Life ceremony for fallen officer Jake Wallin.
A similar video from Officer Tyler Hawes was also played during the event.
"It's hard to put into words how grateful I am for all the prayers, all the thoughts, all the donations, everything that everyone has done to support not only myself but Officer Dotas, Officer Jake Wallin's family, Officer Robinson and the entire Fargo Police Department. You know it's unbelievable," said Hawes.
Hawes said Jake Wallin will forever be his hero.
