Georgia officer killed after traffic stop; suspect dead

Georgia cop is shot dead and police dog is injured by armed suspect who fled during a traffic stop

  • The unidentified cop and suspect died at an Atlanta hospital from their injuries
  • The shooting followed a traffic stop and foot chase in Dekalb County just east of Atlanta
  • Police shot the suspect after he shot a police K-9 who was critically injured
  • The DeKalb officer was the fifth Georgia officer killed in the line of duty this year 

A Georgia police officer and a suspect died Thursday night after a traffic stop led to a foot chase and shooting just east of Atlanta.

DeKalb County police Chief James Conroy said at a news conference that the unidentified officer and suspect died at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta from injuries sustained during the Thursday evening shooting, according to news outlets.

‘Tonight, a DeKalb County Police officer died in the line of duty serving citizens of DeKalb County,’ Conroy said.

The unidentified police officer was shot after a traffic stop and foot chase just east of Atlanta

A police dog was also shot and was listed in critical condition after being taken to an area vet for treatment.

Conroy said the shooting followed a traffic stop. Conroy said the suspect fled, shot the pursuing DeKalb County officer with a handgun and hid behind a business. The suspect then shot a police K-9, prompting officers to shoot the suspect. The suspect received several gunshot wounds, Conroy said. 

‘I am very proud of the men and women of the police department. They responded to the scene, were able to track the suspect, they did their job,’ Conroy said, according to WSB-TV .

The suspect, who also shot a police dog, was shot by other officers. The officer and suspect were taken to Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta (pictured) where they died from their injuries

The suspect, who also shot a police dog, was shot by other officers. The officer and suspect were taken to Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta (pictured) where they died from their injuries

DeKalb County police Chief James Conroy paid tribute to his officer who died in the line of duty serving citizens of DeKalb County

DeKalb County police Chief James Conroy paid tribute to his officer who died in the line of duty serving citizens of DeKalb County

Conroy said the slain officer had been with the department for less than two years. The suspect was described as a man in his 20s to 30s.

The DeKalb officer was the fifth Georgia officer killed in the line of duty this year, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution .

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is investigating.

Governor-elect Brian Kemp took to Twitter to acknowledge the officer's service and offer his condolences

Governor-elect Brian Kemp took to Twitter to acknowledge the officer’s service and offer his condolences

The shooting caused a nearby portion of Interstate 20 to be briefly shut down, leading to rush-hour traffic jams.

Governor-elect Brian Kemp tweeted his condolences for the officer.

‘We are forever grateful for his service and sacrifice,’ he wrote. ‘Our prayers are with those who mourn.’

The shooting caused a nearby portion of Interstate 20 to be briefly shut down, leading to rush-hour traffic jams

The shooting caused a nearby portion of Interstate 20 to be briefly shut down, leading to rush-hour traffic jams

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk