Missouri police officer dies after being shot on duty
A 22-year-old Missouri police officer died Wednesday night after being shot on duty that morning.
Blaize Madrid-Evans, a rookie with the Independence Police Department who had only just graduated from the Kansas City Regional Police Academy in January, succumbed to his injuries Wednesday evening, his department announced.
Madrid-Evans was called to a home around 11:30 a.m. and was met by a man who responded with gunfire, according to Missouri State Highway Patrol.
A second officer returned fire and killed the suspect, later identified as 33-year-old Cody Harrison.
Few other details were provided, but MHP Sgt. Andrew Bell said the officers responded to a call about a “person (who) may have been wanted for something.”
Madrid-Evans was rushed to the hospital and died that evening.
“Every day the officers of the Independence Police Department put their lives on the line to protect the citizens of our community. We are ever hopeful that their daily interactions with the public will be peaceful so that they might return home to their families safely at the end of their shift. Today, that was not the case,” Independence Mayor Eileen Weir said in a statement.
“To all of our officers and first responders, please know that we support you and honor the sacrifice you make to keep our community safe. Thank you for your service.”
