fallen detroit police

[The Streets Don't Love You Back]

Detroit -- One officer was killed and four others were wounded while responding to call early this morning at a vacant home in northeast Detroit occupied by a felon known for resisting arrest and carrying weapons.

Officer Brian Huff, 42, a 12-year veteran of the force, was identified as the slain officer. The four wounded officers and one suspect were taken to St. John Hospital. The four officers and the suspect -- 25-year-old Jason Gibson of Detroit -- are expected to recover.

Police Chief Warren Evans said this is the first time in six years that a DPD officer has been killed in the line of duty. It is the first time five officers have been shot in the same incident.

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"It's a tough time for all of us," said Evans. "We're all kind of in a state of shock."

Officer Randy Randolph described Huff, who stood over 6-feet tall and weighed about 275 pounds, as a "gentle giant," who was "aggressive on the street" and well-liked by colleagues. He came to St. John to give condolences to Huff's family.

Huff was married and had a 10-year-old son.

"If he was out there on the street, you knew he would back you up," Randolph said. "The rock, the head of the house is gone now," Randolph said.

The shooting took place moments after officers responded to a 911 call at about 3:30 a.m. in the 20000 block of Schoenherr, near Edmore Street, after a neighbor reported hearing gunshots at the two-story, yellow brick duplex, according to reports. The officers positioned themselves at the front and rear entrances of the home, said Second Deputy Chief John Roach.

Huff's superiors said his was the backup unit on the run but likely sped ahead to help the less experienced officers who were also dispatched.

"They just wanted to make sure the rookies were OK," said Cmndr. Steve Dolunt

That concern for his fellow officers put Huff first in line for the hail of bullets that killed him and wounded his partner, Officer Joseph D'Angelo (struck in the leg); Officer Steve Schram (struck in the foot); Kasper Harrison (struck in the right arm and shrapnel wounds to the mouth) and John Dunlap (right side of chin grazed).

Police say a .45-caliber handgun and 1 pound of marijuana were recovered at the house. Gibson has numerous aliases and a felony record for resisting arrest, fleeing police and possessing drugs, Evans said. "This guy fights with police," he said.

Brenda Wilson, 53, lives across the street from the shooting scene and said her 7-year-old grandson ran into her room after hearing the shots.

"He was scared and he woke me up," she said. Wilson got him away from the windows and then looked across the street and saw several officers already on the scene. "I couldn't believe how many police cars were out there."

Evans and Mayor Dave Bing visited Huff's widow at St. John's Hospital in Detroit.

"It was the worst feeling I've had since I've been in this position," Bing said. "She's in pain and knows she has our support. The entire family is distraught."

Randolph was among several police officers who came to St. John on Monday morning to give condolences to the fallen officer's family. "First thing I thought about when I heard it, it could've been me," Randolph said.

On his way out of the hospital, he described the scene inside: several officers like himself turning out in support, many of them "emotional," and "a lot of anger" in the air.

"I'd like to see justice be served, let's leave it at that," he said, when asked what he'd like to see happen with the shooter.

Randolph, 33, said the killing reminded him of the danger of his job, something he thinks about each day.

"Every day before you get on the street, you think about it," he said. He said it should remind rookie cops about that.

"You have to stick together, cover each other and know what you're doing," he said.

Two of the wounded officers at St. John were released; the other two remain hospitalized in good condition, hospital officials said.

Hours after the incident, scores of police officers were still on the scene, located in a well-kept neighborhood of brick homes. Joining Detroit officers were ATF agents and a Detroit police chaplain. Police were also canvassing the area, knocking on doors seeking information about the shooting.

When Jim Bowens heard the news of the officer killed, it stirred flashbacks to when his own son, Officer Matthew Bowens, died six years ago.

"I sat there and started crying," Bowens said outside of the hospital.

He said that grief for his son's death still lingers, and he came to the hospital to offer some comfort to the families, none of whom he knows personally.

"There's nothing you can do or say to ease their pain," he added.

Bowens, 62, had spearheaded a campaign to revive the death penalty in officer slayings after his son was killed. On Monday, he arrived wearing a campaign shirt that commemorated his son's death: "Support the Bowens-Fettig Law -- Priority 4-5: Officer Down. Feb. 16, 2004."

Neighbors said they heard rapid gunfire in the early morning hours Monday, but paid it little attention.

"We always hear shootings around here," said neighbor April Lewis.

Roach said investigators are still trying to piece together what happened.

"We're still trying to get background information on the suspect, but it's difficult because he goes by several names," he said.

Police dogs sniffing for shell casings were on the scene this morning along with a state police helicopter with officers shooting aerial photographs.

Schoenherr remains blocked off just south of Eight Mile as the investigation continues by Detroit police, Michigan State Police and the FBI.

Police went to another location on Somerset in connection with the case. At least eight officers went into the house about 10:50 a.m., as a young woman inside yelled. At least 15 FBI agents were stationed outside.

Dolunt said Huff liked working the midnight shift and had a disposition that belied the early hours that he worked. "He was always smiling in the morning. You can't say that about everyone who works midnights." think