MILWAUKEE - He's opening his eyes and showing "good signs.” That's the word from the family of a Milwaukee County Sheriff's deputy who was struck by a car nearly two weeks ago.

They say Tim Johnson is now off life-support and is breathing on his own. The news came as friends and colleagues raised funds for his recovery.

Hundreds of people attended the third annual Black and Blue Ball at Serb Hall.

The fundraiser traditionally helps families of fallen officers and firefighters. But Saturday night was different. The event was not for a fallen officer, but one surviving.

Tim Johnson was hit by a car on I-94 while clearing an accident scene and was critically hurt.

"A lot of our fundraisers, it ends up going to memorials for officers," organizer Todd Dickau said. " We're tired of dealing with memorials, and that's why we have Tim. He's a great guy, so to do something for him, to turn it back to the family."

"It's a miracle, so hopefully he'll come back one hundred percent, and everything will be all right," Marcus Watson added.

Saturday night's drinks, dinner, raffle and dance also served to remind the public to move a lane away from emergency vehicles.

Officers at the ball, such as Michael Pauley, said sadly, they have not seen any change.

"I don't see a lot of response by the motoring public to slow down when they're rushing in the morning to get to work, and you know, people will slow down for a school bus and stuff, but even if a squad car or a tow truck or a plow is on the side of the road, they just whiz by," Pauley said.

Johnson's family said he is no longer in a coma but is still in serious condition and has a long road to recovery.

The ball was sponsored by the Renegade Pigs Motorcycle Club of Wisconsin - a motorcycle club for deputies, police officers, and firefighters.

The group has raised more than $30,000 in the past three years.

 Deputy Tim Johnson Home Page