MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Memphis Police have released the name of the officer who was killed in the line of duty Saturday.
According to MPD, Sean Bolton, 33, was conducting a traffic stop when he was fatally wounded.
Around 9:15 p.m. a civilian used the officer’s radio to call for help after he was shot near Cottonwood Road and Perkins Road, according to CNN.
The officer had been shot multiple times by one of the individuals in the car. He was taken to Regional Medical Center in critical condition, where he later died.
At a late night news conference, MPD Director Toney Armstrong released the following statement:
“It doesn’t get any easier. This is a very difficult time, not only for me as director, but for all the officers you see standing behind me. And a difficult time for our city as well. So I ask that you give us the respect that we need … and the space that we need to grieve, and the time that we need to prepare to lay our brother to rest.”
Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell released the following statement:
“We give thanks for the service of Officer Sean Bolton. His tragic death reminds us of the unselfish dedication of those who patrol our streets to keep us safe. We pay tribute to him and ask God’s comfort for his family and coworkers with the Memphis Police Department.”
This officer is the first to die in the line of duty since Martoiya Lang was shot in December 2012.
Police said the suspect is still at large.
Bolton not only served the city, but he also served his country. He was a Marines Corps veteran who joined MPD in October 2010 after serving in Iraq.
If you know anything about this shooting, you are urged to call Memphis Police or CrimeStoppers at 528-CASH.