Police in Georgia are mourning the loss of a 24-year-old officer who was shot dead after a traffic stop turned into a foot chase Thursday night, authorities said.
Dekalb County Police Chief James Conroy was overcome with emotion when he announced that officer Edgar Flores, who was with the department for less than two years, "died in the line of duty serving the citizens of Dekalb County."
The deadly shooting began when Flores conducted a traffic stop and the driver fled on foot, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) said.
The suspect, 33-year-old Brandon Taylor, shot Flores multiple times, the GBI said.
Flores died at a local hospital.
(MORE: 'I pray for our cops every day': Law enforcement deaths spiking, guns No. 1 cause)When other officers raced to the scene, a police K9 helped track down Taylor, who was found hiding in a pile of tires behind a business, the GBI said.
Taylor shot the 7-year-old dog, named Indi, officials said. Indi, who has five years of service, was in stable condition on Friday, the GBI said.
Several officers returned fire at Taylor, who was shot and also died, Conroy said.
(MORE: Why 2018 could be an especially deadly year for cops)Governor-elect Brian Kemp tweeted about the slain officer, writing, "We are forever grateful for his service and sacrifice."
Law enforcement departments are also expressing their condolences.