Detroit police officer shot and killed in the line of duty: 'We lost a hero'
The officer was a five-year veteran of the force and his father is a recently retired Detroit police officer
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A Detroit police officer was shot and killed by a suspect who was indiscriminately firing a gun Wednesday, police confirmed.
"We lost a hero today in our department and the city is grieving," Detroit Police Chief James E. White said of the unnamed officer who was a five-year veteran of the force.
Detroit Police Chief James White gives an update Wednesday night after an officer was shot and killed. (Detroit Police Department)
"Our officers are heartbroken," White added. "The violence in this country is outrageous. The assaults against police officers is outrageous. There’s entirely too much gun violence in this city. Too much gun violence in this country. And now we have an officer who has paid the ultimate sacrifice – put his life on the line for you and me every single day. And officers are doing it right now even after this call. Enough is enough."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Police say officers were called to the area of Joy Road and Marlowe Street in Detroit around 7:40 p.m. The suspect began firing and officers – hitting one. The injured officer's partner returned fire and hit the suspect. The suspect was killed. The injured officer was taken to an area hospital in critical condition and later died.
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Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan speaks at a press conference on Wednesday. (Detroit Police Department)
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"There is so much violence and it seems like there’s nowhere in this country that you can be safe but there's people who don’t believe that," Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said. "They’re police officers and they have a calling and they believe they can protect us. And Detroit officers every day confront the most violent people in this community in order to protect the rest of us."
The shooting happened near Joy Road and Marlowe Street in Detroit. (Google Maps)
The mayor said the officer’s family described him as someone who had a "calling" to his work and was doing "what he loved."
"We owe a debt of gratitude to all the officers out there working," Duggan said. "And tonight we have an officer and a family with a debt that we can never repay. This entire city is holding the family in their hearts tonight. We will be with them every step of the way."
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White said the officer "comes from a long history of law enforcement officers." He said the officer's father is a recently retired police officer.
White said the officer's family is heartbroken and their "soul is crushed."