Early this morning a Milwaukee, WI, officer was killed in the line of duty while he and his partner were attempting to apprehend a suspect wanted in connection with a robbery. Officer Peter E. Jerving, 38, was shot by the suspect and later died at an area hospital.

Police report about 1:16 a.m. today officers responded to check for a suspect wanted in connection to a robbery that happened about 11.25 p.m. Monday. During an afternoon press conference streamed live by CBS 58 , Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman shared details surrounding Jerving’s death.

During the encounter with the suspect, a struggle ensued in which the suspect fired shots striking Jerving, who was able to return fire striking the suspect. The wounded officer was transported to an area hospital, where he died. The suspect, 19-year-old Terrell Thomson, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The chief described Jerving as a lifelong resident of Milwaukee and a four-year veteran of the department. Norman said the fallen officer had been awarded the Milwaukee Police Department’s Lifesaving Award last year for providing lifesaving care to a shooting victim during what the chief called “very dangerous conditions.”

“My officers, I'm grateful for every one of you who bravely put on the MPD uniform and face the unknown daily task of protecting our city. I'm proud of your response to this tragedy,” Norman said in the press conference.  “I'm asking that each and every one of you reach out to one another and that you not only support one another, but you pray for one another. I'm also asking for you to pray for Officer Jerving’s family.”