Trooper Palmer Update – Recognizing People – Thumbs Up for Griz

The Montana Highway Patrol has released another update on the condition of severely wounded Trooper Wade Palmer, currently being treated at the University of Utah Medical Center in Salt Lake City.

Montana Attorney General Tim Fox was able to share some good news about Palmer’s condition on KGVO’s Talk Back show on Tuesday morning.

“He’s cognizant,” said Fox. “He seems to recognize individuals. He can’t speak yet due to the gunshot wounds to his face and jaw, but he is responding with gestures, smiles and frowns.”

Fox related a humorous incident that occurred in Palmer’s hospital room in Salt Lake City.

“He was asked by one of his trooper colleagues if he’d like to have an MSU Bobcat sweat suit to wear, to which he gave a thumbs down and a grimace facial expression, and then was asked if he’d like to have a University of Montana Grizzly sweat suit and he smiled and gave a thumbs up.”

Fox, a UM alum and former track star for the Grizzlies, immediately took action on Palmer’s request.

“I called Coach Bobby Hauck this past week and told him that story, and he promptly put a Grizzly sweat suit in the mail for Wade and I thought that was pretty cool.”

According to a press release from the Montana Highway Patrol, nearly every day, Palmer undergoes physical therapy for continued strengthening of his left arm and leg. Limited movement has been detected on his right side. He is scheduled to have the wiring and screws from his reconstructive jaw surgery removed this week.

On March 15, Trooper Palmer was shot in the neck, face, and head, after locating the suspect involved in an earlier shooting that injured two and killed one in Missoula. He was transported to Saint Patrick Hospital in critical condition and eventually flown to Salt Lake City.

There are numerous fundraising campaigns underway to benefit Trooper Palmer and his family.