The Bergenfield Police Department has sent an officer down to the Bahamas to be with a vacationing patrolman shot in the chest earlier this week.

According to police, Bergenfield Patrolman John Casper was walking with friends Wednesday in the Nassau resort area when he tried to stop a thief in the act. Casper, 49, engaged in a struggle with the suspect until another person shot the officer, according to Chief Rick McGarill.

Casper serves as a union delegate, and colleagues describe him as a long-time friend. They say he works long hours and had been looking forward to enjoying his island getaway.

The shooting has made headlines in Nassau and has the island's many in the area's tourism business worried. No arrests have been made yet.

Casper is in stable condition and showing improvement. According to officials, he is breathing on his own and spoke briefly after coming out of emergency surgery.

Bergenfield officer shot on vacation in the Bahamas