USA TodayWEST ST. PAUL, Minn. — A police officer was shot and killed during a traffic stop Wednesday afternoon in West St. Paul, police said.
Police say Officer Scott Patrick, 47, was critically injured when he was shot after he stopped a vehicle. He was taken to Regions Hospital where he died.
The shooting occurred at around 12:30 p.m. after a car was pulled over near the intersection of Dodd Road and Smith Avenue South in West St. Paul. Mendota Heights borders West St. Paul.
Witnesses reported hearing three gunshots.
The suspect vehicle was described as a green Pontiac Grand Am or Grand Prix. Witnesses said there were two people inside.
A manhunt in a number of residential neighborhoods in the Mendota Heights area was underway Wednesday afternoon, involving officers from multiple police departments. Police said they are still seeking a suspect, whom they identified as 39-year-old Brian Fitch Sr. of South St. Paul or West St. Paul.
A police source confirmed that the Mendota Heights officer was shot in the head and died from his injuries.
Chris O’Keefe, 51, of West St. Paul, said he saw police and paramedics giving a man CPR at the scene.
John Gouette, owner of Cherokee Service, told The Associated Press that he saw a dark green Pontiac Grand Am race past shortly after the shooting going more than 100 mph, with police in pursuit.
Patrick leaves behind a wife and two teenage children. Mendota Heights Police Chief Mike Aschenbrenner says he had been on the force since 1995.
“He was a very dedicated police officer and a family man who absolutely adored his children,” Aschenbrener said.
Contributing: The Associated Press
FINALLY!
Someone who can shoot!!! Right to the head.
“He was a very dedicated police officer and a family man who absolutely adored his children,” Aschenbrener said.”
Yeah, right. Highly likely he abused them as badly as he and his puke buddies abuse the public on a daily basis.
They’re probably GLAD he’s dead.
digger would have loved this one. Sure miss his comments/rants. 🙁
yeah on Digger #1 I was thinking of him when i sent this in.
Hard not to on a cop killed article, Paul. Would have made his day.