A veteran Springfield Massachusetts police officer was killed in the line of duty Monday after responding to a domestic dispute. Authorities say the policeman was shot and fatally wounded by a Rikers Island corrections officer, who then took his own life. A woman was critically wounded. WAMC”s Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Paul Tuthill has more..
Springfield Police say a 29 year old woman called 9-1-1 to report that her estranged boyfriend was in the area and she feared for her life.. She’d obtained a restraining order against him from court that very morning. Officer Kevin Ambrose, a 36 year veteran of the Springfield Police Department responded to the scene, it was the last call he would ever answer.
Springfield Police Commissioner William Fitchet, speaking at a news conference Monday night said Officer Ambrose met the woman, 29 year old Charlene Mitchell and her estranged boyfriend, 35 year old Shawn Bryan of Hempstead New York outside the woman’s apartment building. The three went inside, where Bryan then shoved the woman into her apartment and closed the door on officer Ambrose.The police officer tried to push the door open.
Charlene Mitchell was reported to be in critical condition following surgery.
As dozens of local and state police worked at the crime scene at the Lawton Arms apartment complex Monday, stunned neighbors looked on. Henry Troy said it was a tragedy.
Tracy Flenke said she was shocked to have a police officer knock on her door
Ambrose is the first Springfield Police officer to die in the line of duty in almost 27 years. He leaves a wife, two children and one grandchild.
Speaking in front of a monument to fallen city police officers that has 14 names, Mayor Dominic Sarno,fighting back tears, asked people to keep Ambrose, his family and his fellow police officers in their thoughts.
Flags on municipal buildings were ordered lowered to half stave. The Springfield City Council cancelled its Monday night meeting in tribute to the slain police officer. The funeral, not yet scheduled, is likely to draw police from across the country.
