North Dakota Police Shooting: Rolette County Officer Fatally Shot, Suspect Dead

An on-duty police officer was fatally shot in North Dakota’s Rolette County, according to reports Wednesday. This is the latest in series of shootings targeting police officers in the U.S.

The incident happened after officers began pursuit of a person suspected of having stolen a vehicle near Devils Lake area, according to local reports. An ensuing shootout between the two sides resulted in the death of an officer, who has not yet been identified. The suspect was also killed in the incident.

Rolette County Sheriff Gerald Medrud said no other officers were injured during the shootout.

Several police officers have been killed on line of duty in recent months. Earlier this month, Orlando police caught a murder suspect who allegedly killed his girlfriend and Orlando Police Master Sergeant Debra Clayton during a confrontation.

In December, six police officers were shot dead across the state of Georgia within a week. At the time the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund said in a report that officer fatalities spiked by 20 percent in 2016 with over 60 percent being a gun-related fatality.

Last year, more than 60 officers were fatally shot in the U.S. compared to just over 20 police deaths in 2015. Two of the deaths reported were the result of accidental gunfire.

Texas had the highest number of officers killed on duty, with 18 deaths. California followed Texas, with 10 police officers losing their lives while on work in 2016.