A police officer in New Mexico has died after a suspect shot him in the face with a sawed-off shotgun during a foot chase over the weekend, authorities said Monday.
The Alamogordo Police Department announced that Officer Anthony Ferguson, 41, died of his injuries a day after a shootout with the suspect, identified as 26-year-old Dominic De La O.
De La O was driving a vehicle around 2:20 a.m. Saturday without headlights or taillights when officers tried to pull him over, police said. De La O allegedly refused to stop, and officers did not pursue him at the time.
De La O later crashed into a light pole and fled from responding officers before engaging in the shootout with Ferguson, police said.
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Officer Anthony Ferguson served the Alamogordo Police Department for 11 years. (Alamogordo Police Department)
Police said De La O suffered a leg wound and was arrested after being treated and released from a hospital.
Dominic De La O, 26, of Alamogordo, was arrested and being held at the Otero County jail on multiple charges. (New Mexico State Police)
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De La O, of Alamogordo, was being held at the Otero County jail on multiple charges including attempt to commit first-degree murder and aggravated battery on a police officer with a deadly weapon.
De La O crashed a car into a pole before running from the scene and getting into a shootout with Ferguson, police said. (KRQE)
It is believed that De La O will face upgraded charges now that Ferguson has died in the line of duty.
Police said De La O was suffered a leg wound and was arrested upon his release from a hospital. (KRQE)
Ferguson, an 11-year veteran of the department, is survived by his mother, father, four brothers, daughter and son.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
