Aurora cop killed; guards tackle suspect
John C. Ensslin and Javier Erik Olvera, Rocky Mountain News
Published September 21, 2006 at midnight
Aurora police are investigating the shooting death of a plainclothed detective, who was gunned down this afternoon in the intersection of Montview Boulevard and Peoria Street as passersby frantically called 911.
The officer was identified as Michael D. Thomas during a news conference at police headquarters today.
Initial reports indicate that the officer was sitting in his car when at least one shooter approached him and fired. The detective had been with the department for 24 years and at one time worked undercover in the vice unit.
The detective was attending training at the nearby police academy and was headed out for a lunch break when the shooting occurred. It is unclear whether the shooter knew he was an officer or whether the killing was the result of some other altercation.
Two corrections officers, who were riding in a car behind the officer, wrestled the alleged gunman to the ground. The suspect was identified as Brian A. Washington, 27. He is being questioned by police now.
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