US police officer fatally shot during Memphis traffic stop

MEMPHIS, Tennessee - The Associated Press

AFP photo

A police officer was fatally shot during a traffic stop in Memphis and a manhunt is underway for the suspect, Tennessee police officials said.

The officer was shot multiple times while conducting a traffic stop on August 1 night, Memphis Police Director Toney Armstrong said during a news conference. The officer died at a hospital.
     
In a statement on August 2 morning, Memphis Police identified the slain officer as 33-year-old Sean Bolton. No further details were released.
     
Armstrong said police haven't made an arrest and the suspect is on the run. He said police are using all available resources to find the shooter.
     
It is the third Memphis officer to be fatally shot in slightly more than four years. Officer Tim Warren was killed while responding to a shooting at a downtown Memphis hotel in July 2011. In December 2012, Officer Martoiya Lang was killed while serving a warrant.
     
Armstrong said officers are grieving, adding that "this is just a reminder of how dangerous" the job is.
     
"Sadly to say, we've been here before," he said.
     
Memphis Mayor A.C. Wharton Jr. told reporters Saturday that the incident "speaks volumes about the inherent danger of police work."
     
"Pray for the family and pray for our city," he said.