Police Officer Shot In Arnold, Injuries Are Life-Threatening

ARNOLD, MO — Authorities say police officer Ryan O'Connor was shot in Arnold, Mo., a city south of St. Louis, this afternoon and was rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. Jefferson County Sheriff's Capt. Gary Higginbotham described the gunshot wounds as being to the back of the neck or head. The suspect, identified by police as Chad L. Klahs, 29, was also shot in the head and has died. Police say the gunshot appears to have been self-inflicted.

O'Connor is 44 years old and has served with the Arnold Police Department for more than two years. He has been a law enforcement officer for two decades, having previously served with the St. Louis County Police Department.

Gregg Favre, deputy director of the Missouri Department of Public Safety, said on twitter that he had just come from the hospital where O'Connor was undergoing surgery. "I've known this officer's family for more than a decade. Between law enforcement & the military they represent the epitome of service & sacrifice," he wrote. "It breaks my heart to see this young family reeling from this senseless violence."

The injured officer was transporting the suspect to the police station in connection with a burglary investigation, police said. The officer's SUV crashed near the station and police found both the officer and suspect shot when they went to investigate.