Tennessee Police Officer Killed Responding to Robbery

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Chattanooga's mayor has identified the city police officer who was shot and killed while investigating a robbery Saturday as a 27-year veteran.

Mayor Ron Littlefield said the slain officer was Sgt. Tim Chapin, who was nearing retirement. He said Saturday was "a sad day for Chattanooga."

"Nothing hits a city harder than the death of a police officer in the line of duty," the mayor told Associated Press Broadcast Radio.

Police spokeswoman Jerri Weary said the officer was responding to a 10:30 a.m. call on Saturday about a robbery at U.S Money Shops. When officers arrived, they encountered one male suspect who began firing at police. A gun battle and foot pursuit ensued.

Chapin was shot and killed and the suspect was shot at least once. Police said the suspect was taken to a local hospital where he was being treated Saturday. Weary said a second officer was shot in the back in the vest area; that officer was treated and released at a hospital, then returned for treatment of a leg wound.

Littlefield said the gunman had recently been paroled from a Colorado prison.