Taylor, MI officer shot and killed

[sparty]

RIP Corporal Matthew Edwards.

Cop fatally shot at Taylor apartment complex | detnews.com | The Detroit News

The News Herald: Breaking news coverage for Southgate, MI

Police officer killed, another person injured in Taylor shootout | freep.com | Detroit Free Press

From the City of Taylor's website:

City mourns the death of Taylor police corporal killed in the line of duty | City of Taylor


City mourns the death of Taylor police corporal killed in the line of duty
The City of Taylor is mourning the death of Taylor police Cpl. Matthew Edwards, who was killed this morning in the line of duty.

Taylor police said Cpl. Edwards, 31, was shot and killed at about 6 am. while responding to a call of a breaking and entering in the 12400 block of Pine Street in the Coppertree Apartment complex.

The report said a man was trying to enter an apartment through a window. Cpl. Edwards and his partner arrived and confronted a man matching the description in the parking lot.

Cpl. Edwards encountered the defendant, a 36-year-old Westland man. Witnesses told police that Cpl. Edwards was speaking with the defendant when they saw the defendant pull out a gun and shoot Cpl. Edwards.

Cpl. Edwards' partner returned fire, shooting the defendant several times. The defendant was taken to a nearby hospital and was undergoing surgery.

Cpl. Edwards was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Cpl. Edwards joined the Taylor Police Department in January 2005. He was a decorated officer and was named Officer of the Year in 2008 by the Police Officers Association of Michigan.

Cpl. Edwards is survived by his wife and two children.

Taylor police said Cpl Edwards is the first officer killed in the line of duty in the history of the Taylor Police Department.

On behalf of the entire city, Mayor Lamarand extends his sympathy to Cpl. Edwards' family and to all officers and personnel in the Taylor Police Department. Flags have been lowered to half staff. Officers are wearing black bands around their badges.

The Mayor also expressed gratitude to the community for the outpouring of support. Funeral arrangements will be announced when they are available.