Officials say the trooper, whose name has not been released, is still in intensive care but has been showing signs of improvement - becoming responsive and beginning to recognize faces again. But they say he's still a long way from recovery.
The suspect is sought for slamming into the trooper in the St. Albans shopping center parking lot Monday evening and driving off.
Police say Jennifer Garretson, 34, was caught stealing from the Goody's store along MacCorkle Avenue
The trooper was off-duty at the time of the shoplifting.
"It's a moral obligation -- because we're trained as law enforcement officers to keep the peace in a civil society," WVSP Sergeant Michael Baylous said.
Three witnesses told St. Albans Police what they saw happen. They described seeing the trooper run out of the store after Garretson when she jumped into her rusted out, dark blue Honda Civic, threw the car into reverse and hit the trooper. He was thrown onto the hood, then onto the pavement; suffering several injuries including head trauma, according to police.
"They described in detail that she was sitting upright in the car -- with both hands on the steering wheel in a very, very purposeful manner," Captain James Agee said. "They saw something that was very horrific and it affected them deeply."
Through the night and into the morning, the law enforcement community pulled together and waited to receive word as their brother was left in intensive care following the incident. Police tell WSAZ.com his condition is slowly improving.
Investigators found Garretson's car late Monday at a housing complex on Miracle Drive
Police say it's not if, but when this suspect will be brought to justice.
