Armed Suspect Killed By Police

Friday, October 26th 2007, 12:34 pm

By: News On 6

A police officer narrowly escapes with his life after being shot outside a Stillwater apartment complex. The shooting happened at the Whispering Hills Apartments on South Main shortly before 9 a.m. Friday.

Police say a woman called complaining her ex-fiancÃ©, 24-year-old Thomas Hicks, was on his way to her apartment. The woman said she had an emergency protective order against him and that she feared for her safety.

When officers arrived, and tried to detain Hicks he began fighting with them, said police. During the struggle, Hicks pulled a handgun and fired at the police officers, striking Officer Randy Hiner in the leg, authorities said. Two other police officers returned fire, killing Hicks.

Neighbors say police got on the scene just in time to prevent a tragedy.

"He would have shot her in front of her kids,â€ neighbor Latasha Bolden said. â€œJust crazy, ridiculous.â€

"Very fortunate that he was not able to hurt anyone else before the officers arrived,â€ said Stillwater Police Officer Dale Higgins. â€œOf course very thrilled Hiner will make a full recovery.â€

Officer Hiner was taken to Stillwater Medical Center for treatment. He is a 22-year police veteran and a firearms instructor.

Officer Hiner and the two other officers involved in the incident are on paid administrative leave while the OSBI investigates.