Jan 7, 2007 7:04 pm US/Eastern
Off-Duty Cop Shot And Killed During Robbery
PATERSON, N.J. (CBS/AP) ―
A 23-year-old off-duty city police officer was shot and killed Sunday morning after a man tried to rob him at a chicken restaurant in Paterson, N.J.
Police said the officer was Tyron Franklin, a graduate of Westwood High School in Bergen County.
Another victim, a 42-year-old man was also shot during the confrontation, but is in stable condition with non life-threatening wounds at St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center.
Police responded to a call of a shooting at Broadway Fried Chicken at Broadway and East 18th Street a little after 1:oo a.m. early Sunday morning. Upon arrival, police say they found the two men shot. Both were taken to St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center.
The off-duty officer was pronounced dead at the hospital at 2:05 a.m. Police say they are searching for at least one person involved in the shooting.
It appeared that Franklin, who was on his day off and dressed in plain clothes, had taken out money to pay for food at the restaurant when a man tried to rob him. A struggle ensued and Franklin was shot with a handgun several times, said police Lt. Anthony Traina, who declined to elaborate.
Police had an entire block around the restaurant closed to traffic, with curious onlookers on corners nearby. Among the onlookers was Paterson City Councilman Anthony Davis, who said he had met the rookie officer several times. "He was a fine young man," Davis said of Franklin. "His dad wanted him to become a fireman, but he wanted to become a police officer."
Paterson Mayor JosÄe Torres said there was a $11,000 reward for information on the shooter.
Back in Franklin's hometown, his former high school principal remembered the young officer as a gregarious athlete who played football and wrestled, always with a friendly face. "Outgoing, big smile, hardworking kid," said principal Patrick Bower. "I really enjoyed him. When I say his name, I see his smile come right to my mind, he added. "It's a definite loss for the community, no question."
Franklin had been with the Paterson Police Department since April 2006 and was the father of a 1-year-old child.
(© 2007 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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