Officer Down!

I woke up to the news of a fallen protector this morning.

Police were conducting a manhunt throughout the Dayton's Bluff neighborhood on the East Side of St. Paul after a vice officer working undercover was shot dead early this morning. Two suspects were at large.

Sgt. Jerry Vick was pronounced dead at Regions Hospital this morning, Chief John Harrington told reporters during a 6 a.m. news conference. Vick had been shot in an alley near Seventh and Forest Streets after exchanging shots with two suspects outside Erick's Bar around 2:20 a.m. The alleged gunmen fled on foot.

This is not that far away from a shooting not that long ago, which left a warrant officer in the hospital.

We talk a lot about education and other social service funding. But the men and woman that protect us day in and day out seem to fly below the radar, until something like this happens.

I've had my scanner on most of the morning. The current perimeter is set up at Arcade, Maryland, Johnson and 3rd street. Avoid the area if at all possible and let the force do it's work.

My heart and prayers go out to the Vick family, and the proud men and women who protect me and my family from the vermin that roam the city streets.

Flash

UPDATE: From the PiPress:

At least one suspect in the early morning shooting of an undercover St. Paul vice cop was in custody, and heavily armed officers looking for a second suspect consumed the city's east side in a massive air and ground search.

Sources with knowledge of the investigation wouldn't discuss details of the person who'd been taken into custody, but one source said he was "likely involved."

MORE: The STRIB reports both suspects in custody:

St. Paul police took two suspects into custody after a wide-ranging manhunt through the Dayton's Bluff neighborhood, where a vice officer working undercover was shot dead early this morning.

Six other people also were taken into custody Friday morning; police believe they may have been witnesses to the shooting or have knowledge of the case.

"We are not in a position to say that we are certain at this time that we have the suspects in custody," Police Chief John Harrington said around 9 a.m. "The investigation will continue."