Just over a week after two Joplin police officers were shot and killed by a man after responding to a disturbance, another police department in Missouri is dealing with a similar tragedy.
Authorities say one officer is dead and another has been airlifted to a hospital in St. Louis after a man opened fire on police at a Motel 6 in Bonne Terre.
The officers returned fire and the man was shot and killed.
It happened Thursday morning at 12:24 a.m.
Police were called to reports of a disturbance at the motel. When they arrived, a man came out of a motel room and began firing at the two officers.
The officer who died has been identified as Lane Burns, who had been with the department for about five years and was in his early 30’s.
The second officer, identified as Corporal Garrett Worley, was shot in the leg.
Worley has been on the force about seven years.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol has taken over the investigation.
Missouri Senator Roy Blunt has released a statement on the passing of Officer Burns:
“This morning, Bonne Terre Police Officer Lane Burns tragically lost his life in the line of duty. Officer Burns’ fiance said he loved being a police officer and he loved the department. Officer Burns lived a life and purpose in protecting those around him. Abby and I send our deepest condolences to his family and the Bonne Terre Police Department. Our thoughts are with Corporal Garrett Worley, who was injured and remains hospitalized.”