MIAMI: An Orlando police officer died today after confronting and being shot by a suspected murderer, triggering a manhunt in which a county sheriff died in a motorcycle crash.
Sergeant Debra Clayton, a mother of two, was fatally shot early Monday morning, Orlando Police Chief John Mina told journalists.
A 17-year-veteran of the department, Clayton had been attempting to arrest a suspect in the murder of a pregnant woman when he gunned her down.
While searching for the gunman an Orange County deputy sheriff riding his motorcycle was struck by a vehicle that turned in front of him.
He was taken to a nearby hospital and died of his injuries, according to Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings.
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer declared a day of mourning in the city following the incidents.
Several schools in the vicinity of the ongoing manhunt remained on lockdown.