An 18-year veteran of a police department in upstate New York was shot and killed with his own service weapon on Monday.<br /> <br />A man identified as 43-year-old James Clark began a disturbance on the morning of March 31st, grabbing a co-worker and shouting and screaming.<br /><br />Within three minutes of getting the call, Johnson City Police Officer David Smith arrived on the scene.<br /> <br />But before Officer Smith was able to exit his vehicle, the suspect ran over and reached into the car's open window.<br /> <br />A struggle ensued and the suspect was somehow able to grab Officer Smith's gun. He fired twice, killing Smith.<br /><br />Backup officers arrived soon after, but the suspect continued to fire, emptying Officer Smith's 15-round .40 caliber duty weapon.<br /> <br />The tragic episode ended finally when another officer shot the suspect, who later died in hospital.<br /> <br />Authorities say they don't understand why suspect James Clark became violent, but a psychotic breakdown is not being ruled out.<br /><br />Officer Smith is the first Johnson City police officer killed in the line of duty since the 1920s. He is survived by his wife and child.
