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ST. LOUIS COUNTY — The family of a Ferguson officer severely injured during a protest this month is hopeful he'll wake up soon as sedation is gradually reduced.

Officer Travis Brown, known to family and friends as TJ, has undergone several surgeries since suffering a severe brain injury while trying to arrest a Ferguson protester. 

In an update Friday night, his family said Brown's pneumonia is beginning to subside.

"We’re hopeful that in the coming days, as sedation is gradually reduced, we will see his beautiful eyes open again," they wrote in a GoFundMe page. "Thank you for your continued love and support."

A doctor last week told his family his brain activity was “encouraging.�

Brown was injured Aug. 9 during a gathering of about 40 people on the 10th anniversary of Michael Brown’s death. The night became turbulent at about 11 p.m., when police said they went out to arrest a few people who they said had damaged the department’s gate.

Police said when Brown went to arrest 28-year-old Elijah Gantt, the man ran away. Brown came around a white car, and seconds later, Gantt ran into Brown at full speed, knocking the officer to the ground and falling on top of him.

Gantt was charged with three counts of fourth-degree assault on a special victim, resisting arrest, first-degree assault and property damage. He remains in custody on a $500,000 cash-only bond.

The GoFundMe campaign created for Brown and his family had raised about $150,000 by Saturday.

A fundraising event was also scheduled for Saturday evening at The Drink House STL in Pagedale.