Police returned fire, killing the gunman, but not before two officers were hit. Both were rushed to a nearby Army Medical Center in critical condition. One of the officers was pronounced dead a short time later.
A spokeswoman for the police department said this is a tragedy the community is not accustomed to.
"Back in May, we just did a memorial for the city marshal that was killed in the line of duty in 1917 -- that's the last time an officer was killed here. So, we're having to take this one step at a time. It's... we're all grieving, the family's grieving. You know, we've got a great officer that is going to be deeply, deeply missed. A good guy, a good officer, a good husband, good son, good brother," said Carroll Smith, Killeen Police Department. "There is an investigation, and right now we want to get the other officer well."
The surviving officer underwent surgery Sunday. When the shooting occurred, police were responding to a call that an armed man had threatened residents in an apartment complex. The case is still under investigation.
