Ciesielski said Runnels' wound is non-life threatening and doctors expect him to make a full recovery.
"The initial page never said... it never has any details," Ciesielski said. "You just hear that they were shot. Of course all the bad things come into your mind about what could it possibly be."
Chief Ciesielski was one of the many who rushed to the hospital to check on Officer Runnels, a 12-year veteran hired by the Marion County Sheriff's Department before the merger with IMPD. Fox59 caught up with Runnels in 2001 when he took part in the Shop with a Cop program. The 51-year-old has two sons.
"He's a little older than his peer officers on the middle shift, but he's out there every day hitting the streets, doing the job," Ciesielski said. "Again, exactly what we ask him to do."
Ciesielski said it's all that more impressive knowing Runnels had to act without support from his fellow officers.
"From what I understand, it happened so quick there was no way to get on the radio to ask for help or to wait for help," Ciesielski said. "It just happened."
The chief said it's been a tough year for officers, but said he’s proud of Runnels and others who have sacrificed their safety for others.
"I'm just encouraged every day by their courage as a chief and as a citizen of this community that we have officers, like officer Runnels, doing this every day," Ciesielski said. "In fact, when I spoke to him, he told me, 'That's what you pay me for Chief,' and he's ready to go back out there."
"I would just ask the community to pray for him and all of our officers who are out there every day trying to make the community safe."
Ciesielski said Runnels will stay at Wishard hospital overnight for observation, but that he is in good spirits and should go home soon.
