An 18-year veteran of a police department in upstate New York was shot and killed with his own service weapon on Monday.
A man identified as 43-year-old James Clark began a disturbance on the morning of March 31st, grabbing a co-worker and shouting and screaming.
Within three minutes of getting the call, Johnson City Police Officer David Smith arrived on the scene.
But before Officer Smith was able to exit his vehicle, the suspect ran over and reached into the car's open window.
A struggle ensued and the suspect was somehow able to grab Officer Smith's gun. He fired twice, killing Smith.
Backup officers arrived soon after, but the suspect continued to fire, emptying Officer Smith's 15-round .40 caliber duty weapon.
The tragic episode ended finally when another officer shot the suspect, who later died in hospital.
Authorities say they don't understand why suspect James Clark became violent, but a psychotic breakdown is not being ruled out.
Officer Smith is the first Johnson City police officer killed in the line of duty since the 1920s. He is survived by his wife and child.
