Midland police officer responding to home alarm fatally shot by homeowner

A West Texas police officer responding to a home security alarm was shot and killed early Tuesday by the owner of the home who believed he was being burglarized.

City officials in Midland say that Officer Nathan Heidelberg died after being struck by gunfire just above his protective vest.

A police statement says Heidelberg, a probationary officer and two other officers were outside the home and loudly announced their presence from the open front door. But the homeowner, who wasn’t identified, believed his home was being burglarized and fired shots at the flashlight Heidelberg held. Heidelberg died later at a hospital.

Police haven’t said if any charges were filed, but the Texas Rangers are investigating.

The statement says Heidelberg was a field training officer who had been employed by the department for five years.

The Midland Reporter-Telegram, citing the Officer Down Memorial Page, reports that Heidelberg is the first Midland officer to die in the line of duty since 1961.

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