Two law enforcement officers have been killed during a massive manhunt for a murder suspect in Orlando, Fla.
Master Sgt. Debra Clayton radioed from a Wal-Mart shortly after 7 a.m. Monday, saying she was "attempting to contact a murder suspect," according to a statement from the City of Orlando . Other officers radioed two minutes later, reporting that an officer had been shot. The 17-year veteran of the department died after she was transported to a hospital.
Police are seeking Markeith Loyd in the murder of a pregnant woman named Sade Dixon last month.
Loyd fled from the Wal-Mart and pulled into a nearby apartment building, where police say he fired shots at a sheriff's deputy but did not harm him. Loyd then allegedly stole a car and escaped.
This put a manhunt into motion for the suspect, described as "armed and extremely dangerous." During the search, authorities say, a sheriff's deputy riding a motorcycle was hit by a car and later died. The deputy has been identified as Deputy First Class Norman Lewis, an 11-year-veteran of the force .
"This is probably one of the toughest days for me in my career," Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings told reporters . "Because not only did we lose an Orlando police officer today, we lost an Orange County deputy sheriff as well who was traveling on his motorcycle as a result of these broad efforts that we have underway."
Law enforcement is "highly motivated to bring this suspect to justice," the sheriff said . There is a reward of up to $60,000 for information about the 41-year-old Loyd.
The Orlando Police Department says Clayton was married with a son. "She was extremely committed to our youth and really, the community," Orlando Police Chief John Mina told reporters . "And she did so many different projects in the community. She organized several marches against violence by herself — that's how committed she is."
The Orange County Sheriff's Office tweeted that Lewis was a "gentle giant" with a "million dollar smile."
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