DECATUR, Ga. — A Georgia police officer gunned down after a traffic stop and foot chase east of Atlanta was identified Friday as a 24-year-old lawman who graduated from the police academy last year.
DeKalb County police identified him as Officer Edgar Isidro Flores, who was hired by the suburban force in May 2017 and graduated from the academy about six months later.
The suspect, who was shot by officers, was also killed in the Thursday evening gunfire. DeKalb County police Chief James Conroy said at a news conference that both died at an Atlanta hospital from their wounds.
“Tonight, a DeKalb County police officer died in the line of duty serving its citizens of DeKalb County,” Conroy said.
A police dog was also shot and was listed in critical condition.
The DeKalb County officer is the fifth Georgia officer killed in the line of duty this year, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution .
The shooting followed a traffic stop, Conroy said. The suspect fled, shot the pursuing officer and hid behind a business. The suspect then shot the police K-9, prompting officers to shoot the suspect, 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 Atlanta station WSB-TV .
The suspect was described as a man in his 20s to 30s.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is investigating.
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.”
