Holly MatkinBonne Terre, MO – One Bonne Terre police officer was murdered and another was airlifted to a St. Louis hospital after they were shot while responding to a disturbance at a motel early Thursday morning.
The incident began at approximately 12:24 a.m. on March 17, when the two officers were dispatched to a disturbance at the Motel 6 on Highway K in Bonne Terre, Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) spokesperson Corporal Dallas Thompson told the Daily Journal.
Bonne Terre Police Corporal Garrett Worley and Officer Lane Burns were approaching the door of the hotel room where the disturbance had been reported, when a man came outside and opened fire on them, Cpl. Thompson said.
Both officers were shot in the attack, the Daily Journal reported.
Despite their wounds, they returned fire and killed the gunman.
The suspect was later identified as 21-year-old James Emery, KMOV reported.
Cpl. Worley was airlifted to a hospital in St. Louis with a gunshot wound to his lower leg, the Daily Journal reported.
He was undergoing surgery early Thursday morning.
Officer Burns was rushed to Parkland Health Center in critical condition, Cpl. Thompson said.
Bonne Terre Police Chief Doug Calvert later confirmed Officer Burns succumbed to his wounds at approximately 3 a.m., the Daily Journal reported.
“Lane didn’t make it,” Chief Calvert said. “They tried.”
Officer Burns, 31, served the Bonne Terre Police Department (BTPD) for approximately five years, KSDK reported.
Cpl. Worley, 27, has been with the department for approximately seven years.
The BTPD is a small department comprised of 10 full-time officers, six part-time officers, and four auxiliary officers, WPSD reported.
“This is a very small community. They might have been the only two officers on duty tonight,” Cpl. Thompson told KSDK. “So, whenever they have calls like this, and it comes out, you know, with shots fired, officer down, there are several other smaller municipalities within a five- or six-mile radius of us. So, they all come to provide mutual aid and help out one another.”
Tragic Breaking News:
A Bonne Terre police officer was shot & killed in the line of duty overnight, a fellow officer was also shot. Officers shot and kill the suspect of a disturbance call at the motel overnight. @DamonArnoldKMOV is working to get the latest on @kmov and #n4tm pic.twitter.com/L1WXOZwoTB— Tyler Klaus (@TylerKMOV) March 17, 2022
Prayers this morning for our brave men and women with the Bonne Terre Police Dept whom rush into danger for our safety. I understand that one officer has lost his life, and another is at a hospital in St Louis. Please pray for their friends, family and fellow officers. pic.twitter.com/vBMrCWqvbM
— electmccarver (@reelectjuliemc1) March 17, 2022
@RizzShow shooting in Bonne Terre 💔 pic.twitter.com/zOdi6hDaKE
— Teri LeAnn (@TooieQ) March 17, 2022
A Bonne Terre, Mo. Police officer has died and another injured in an early morning shooting. The suspect was shot and killed by officers. More details on Fox 2 News in the morning. pic.twitter.com/3A9sXjz38Q
— FOX2now (@FOX2now) March 17, 2022
The MSHP Division of Drug and Crime Control is leading the ongoing investigation into the incident, the Daily Journal reported.
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