Officer Who Got Shot 'Awake And Doing Well' After Fatal Encounter In South Jersey

DEPTFORD, NJ — Keeping Officer Bobby Shisler alive required a team effort, from the dispatchers to fellow first responders to the hospital staff treating him since he was shot Friday in the line of duty. Now Deptford police, law enforcement around the state and the community at large are rallying behind his recovery.

The officer was "awake and doing well" on Saturday morning, following Friday evening's surgery, according to the Gloucester County Hero Scholarship Fund. A GoFundMe is supporting his recovery.

Shisler was hospitalized following a Friday afternoon police encounter that also killed a civilian, who state authorities identified as Mitchell Negron Jr., 24, of Deptford.

• From Friday: Man Killed, Cop Hospitalized From Gloucester County Shooting: AG

"We ask that you keep Bobby, his family, friends and fellow officers; especially those involved in his life saving heroics in your thoughts and prayers," said the local nonprofit, which aids the families of first responders hurt or killed in the line of duty. "A critical incident of this nature can be incredibly stressful for all of those involved."

Shisler conducted a pedestrian stop on Negron on Delsea Drive at 12:38 p.m., according to the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, which continues to investigate the incident.

The Attorney General's Office didn't reveal the reason for the stop. But Negron tried escaping, resulting in a struggle, the agency said. Both were shot around Doman Avenue, authorities said. Officials pronounced Negron dead at about 1 p.m. Friday, while Shisler was taken to Cooper Medical Center in Camden.

The AG's office didn't say who fired shots and will withhold further information until the investigation advances. The Office of Public Integrity and Accountability within the AG's office is reviewing the incident, pursuant to a 2019 state directive requiring an independent investigation of criminal cases involving police use of force and in-custody deaths.

Although the state agency revealed little about the fatal encounter, it became clear that the work of many helped save Shisler's life.

"Officer Shisler, the officers by his side, and all medical personnel acted with incredible strength, urgency and compassion for him during this intense situation," said Nichole Rodgers, who started the GoFundMe page.

Shisler — assigned to Platoon B of the Deptford Township Police Department's Patrol Division — is a lifelong township resident and "a true Spartan for life," according to his agency.

"He’s an avid weight-lifter and a tireless volunteer," Deptford PD said on social media. "He’s a son, a brother, a nephew, and a friend."

View the GoFundMe page.