Orlando police launched a massive manhunt Monday after one of their officers was gunned down and a second officer was killed in a car crash looking for the suspect.
Police are now offering a $60,000 reward for information that could lead to the arrest of the suspect.
Master Sgt. Debra Clayton died early Monday morning after being shot while trying to contact a murder suspect, reports CNN. Clayton, a 17-year veteran of the force, left behind two children.
Police received a phone call about an officer being shot about two minutes after Clayton made contact with the murder suspect. One eyewitness claimed the suspect was wearing a security uniform.
“He walked by me, had a security vest and everything,” the witness alleged. “I was walking down the sidewalk, right past the officer, and I heard her tell him to stop, or whatever, and he shot her. He shot her down.”
A sheriff’s deputy died in a car crash during the manhunt for the murder suspect.
“To lose two law enforcement officers on this Law Enforcement Officer Appreciation Day is indeed a tragedy,” Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings said.
Police have named Markeith Loyd, 41, as the murder suspect. He is also wanted for allegedly murdering his pregnant girlfriend in December.
“He should be considered armed and dangerous,” said Police Chief John Mina at a press conference. “He will be brought to justice.”
“She made a point, even outside her working hours, do to things for youth and do things for the community,” said Deputy Chief Orlando Rolon of Clayton and her service to the community.
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