Manchester, NH- Police Officer Shot/LODD 10-17-06

[Truck4 48]

Date: 10-17-06

Time: 0245hrs

Departments: Manchester PD

Description: P.O.'s responded to a domestic violence call with shots fired. Upon arrival officers were shot at by a suspect in an alley. P.O. Michael Briggs was shot in the head as he approached the house. Suspect was later caught hiding at his grandmother's house.

Writer: Truck4

Wounded Manchester, N.H. Police Officer Dies

Suspect Held On $2 Million Bail

(CBS4) MANCHESTER, N.H. New Hampshire's Attorney General plans to seek the death penalty for the suspect charged with shooting and killing Manchester police officer Michael Briggs.

The 35-year-old husband and father of two died Tuesday afternoon, one day after he was shot in the head while on duty. He's the first Manchester police officer killed in the line of duty in 30 years.

The Briggs' family issued the following statement:

"Our hearts are broken by the loss of Michael. He was a wonderful son, husband, father, brother and friend who impacted our lives in a way that will be greatly missed. Being a police officer was his passion and he made us all very proud. Michael loved his job and serving with his fellow officers.

We are truly touched by the outpouring of compassion from the community and the unwavering support of all the police officers from Manchester and beyond. We mourn with you and know that Michael would be grateful for the concern you have shown him and his family. It is a great honor to know he was loved by so many."

New Hampshire Governor John Lynch and Manchester Mayor Frank Giunta have ordered all flags lowered to half-staff.

Michael Addison, 26, was arrested without incident about 5:30 p.m. Monday at his grandmother's apartment in Dorchester after a massive manhunt in two states.

He was arraigned in Dorchester District Court on fugitive charges. He still faces a rendition hearing that will allow authorities to return him to New Hampshire. Addison said he plans to fight rendition. He's being held on $2 million bail.

At a late afternoon news conference, authorities showed off the handgun used to kill Briggs, which they said was found near the scene. Police Chief John Jaskolka said Briggs' gun was still in its holster, but two other officers returned fired.

He gave no details, leaving the presence of a third officer at the scene unexplained. Briggs knew the area from patrols and he and Addison "weren't strangers," Jaskolka said.

Briggs was nearing the end of his shift early Monday morning when he and another bicycle patrol officer responded to a domestic violence call involving a gunshot.

The officers spotted Addison with another man, identified as Antoine Bel Rogers, 21, in an alley. Addison pulled a gun and shot Briggs at about 2:45 a.m., police said.

At the police station Tuesday, someone left a red candle, a stuffed puppy and a handwritten sign: "My family is praying for you, Officer Briggs, and your family." About 100 officers saluted as the flag outside was lowered to half-staff.

While an officer in Epsom, Briggs worked with police officer Jeremy Charron, who was shot and killed in 1997. He was a pallbearer at Charron's funeral.

The Manchester Police Department has set up a memorial fund for the family of Officer Michael Briggs. To support the family, you can send donations to:

The MPPA Officer Briggs Family Benefit Fund

In care of: Members First Credit Union

P.O. Box 896

Manchester, NH 03105