From The Trussville Tribune staff reports
ATLANTA, Ga. — A DeKalb County police officer in the Atlanta area was shot and killed following a traffic stop on Thursday. His K9 dog was also critically injured when shot by the suspect.
“A DeKalb County police officer died in the line of duty while serving the people of DeKalb County,” Police Chief James Conroy said.
The officer was making a traffic stop on Candaler Road when the incident began.
“The driver fled on foot,” Conroy said. “The officer pursued him and, during that pursuit, the suspect produced a handgun and shot the officer.”
Conroy said the suspect fled to a wooded area where officers and a K9 tracked him down. The suspect shot the K9 and was then killed by police.
The officer was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. The K9 is in the care of a veterinarian in critical condition, Conroy said.