ATLANTA — Channel 2 Action News has confirmed that an officer who was shot on Vernon Grove Road has died.
The officer has been identified as Mike Vogt, according to Col. Jeff Holmes with the Fulton County Sheriff's Office.
Investigators at the scene told Channel 2 Action News reporter Jeff Dore that the Chattahoochee Hills police officer was traveling on Vernon Grove Road when he noticed something. Holmes said the officer stopped to talk to a group of people and was subsequently fired upon with a high-powered weapon.
News Chopper 2 flew over the scene and video showed a Chattahoochee Hills police car sideways across a dirt road.
Holmes said the officer was able to back up his car, drive away and also call for help.
Several other Chattahoochee Hills police officers rushed to the scene and provided aid, Holmes said. A medical helicopter was called to take the wounded officer to Grady Memorial Hospital, where he later died.
Police told Channel 2 that they are on the lookout for a '80s model, brown Chrysler in connection with the incident.
Car in police shooting
"All of us obviously grieve for the family of Officer Vogt," said Holmes.
Chattahoochee Hills Mayor Don Hayes told reporters that Vogt had been with the department for two years and was recently promoted to lieutenant.
"We've lost a friend, co-worker and public servant," said Hayes.
Hayes said were 14 police officers on the Chattahoochee Hills police force. This makes the first time the department has lost an officer in the line of duty.
"Everybody knows each other on a first name basis," said Hayes. "It's a small community. It's like losing part of your family."
WSBTV
