Officer Down in St. Pete (again)

St. Petersburg officer shot


ST. PETERSBURG — A St. Petersburg police officer was shot tonight just west of downtown.

The shooting occurred about 10:30 p.m. in the area of Eighth Street and Third Avenue South, the newspaper reported.

The officer was taken by ambulance to Bayfront Medical Center with a chest wound. The officer was listed in critical condition, police spokesman Mike Puetz told the paper.

Police were searching for the shooter and had not reported an arrest late Monday night. A description of the suspect was not available late Monday night.

A Pinellas sheriff's office helicopter was flying over that part of the city in search of the suspect and police were using canines to search as well. The search was centered on the Campbell Park area. Asked how many officers were searching for the suspect, Puetz replied: "Everybody and his mother," according to the newspaper.

At about 11:05 p.m., Mayor Bill Foster arrived at Bayfront Medical Center, but did not make a statement. Police Chief Chuck Harmon arrived about 11:30 p.m. An officer could be seen in the emergency room sobbing as others comforted him.

"It's not good," said police spokesman Bill Proffitt.

Puetz said police received a call at about 10:30 p.m. of a suspicious person in the 700 block of Third Avenue South. Puetz said it sounded like the person could be a prowler, the paper reported.

Two officers arrived in that area at 10:34 p.m. Three minutes later, one of the officers reported shots fired and an officer down.

Two St. Petersburg officers were killed less than a month ago in a shootout with a parole violator.

http://www.bradenton.com/2011/02/22/...icer-shot.html

They are now confirming that the Officer has died from the gunshots, 25 year Veteran Officer.

Thank you Sheriff for allowing us to support our fallen brother
" Pursuant to General Order 10.1, Sheriff Knight has ordered our agency to wear mourning bands in honor of St. Pete Police Officer David Crawford, who was killed in the line of duty last night. Per policy the bands will be displayed until the completion of services.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Officer Crawford’s family and the entire St. Petersburg Police Department family. Stay safe.