PHOENIX (CBS5) -
John Hobbs, a 21-year veteran of the Phoenix Police Department, drew the praise of his police chief after he was killed in a shootout with a violent convicted felon Monday afternoon.
Phoenix Police Chief Daniel Garcia released Hobbs' name at a news conference Tuesday morning.
Hobbs, 43, was immediately shot by William Thornton as Hobbs and a fellow officer were getting out of their car to chase Thornton, Garcia said.
"Officer John Hobbs, though he was hit, returned fire, hitting the suspect multiple times" and killing him, Garcia said.
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Garcia described Hobbs as a "well-rounded and respected professional police officer."
"He will be greatly missed," Garcia said.
Hobbs is survived by his wife and three children, ages 10, 8 and 6, Garcia said.
The second officer, whose family requested he not be identified, was wounded and in stable condition at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center on Tuesday morning.
As members of the department's Major Offender Bureau, Hobbs and the unidentified officer deal with suspects who "either are accustomed to prison and don't mind going back" or those who will do anything to prevent a return to prison.
Thornton was released from prison Jan. 9 after serving time on attempted robbery and narcotics charges, Garcia said. By Feb. 25, Thornton became the prime suspect in a homicide in which the victim was shot in the chest from point-blank range.
He had been under surveillance when the officers, dressed in plain clothes, were apparently recognized, Garcia said. Thornton tried to elude them in his car before crashing into several vehicles at 43rd Avenue and Bethany Home Road.
An 83-year-old woman and a man in his 40s were hurt and taken to hospitals, said Phoenix police Sgt. Steve Martos, who added the man was treated and released and that the woman was doing well.
Thornton ran from his car with "with reckless abandon" and tried to run from the officers. He turned and opened fire as Hobbs and the other officer, who was driving, got out of their car.
Martos said Tuesday was "a dark day for Phoenix."
In the face of tragedy, Garcia said he and his department have been touched by the support from police officers, citizens and others in the hours after the shooting.
He said he was truly thankful for the support shown by the Phoenix Police Sergeants and Lieutenants Association (PPSLA) and Phoenix Law Enforcement Association (PLEA), as well as the citizens "who immediately after this tragedy unfolded, extended their hearts out to our department. We are truly thankful for the support we received."
Garcia also extended his thanks to Glendale Police Chief Deborah Black, whose officers assisted Phoenix police Monday.
Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton called Hobbs' death another "tragic reminder" that officers "put their lives on the line every day for this city."
He urged Phoenix residents to show their support to the department and its individual officers.
"We need to show as a community how much we love and support our officers," Stanton said.
Police spokesman Officer James Holmes told CBS 5 News on Tuesday morning that he knew both officers who were shot.
"Our hearts are broken," Holmes said. He called them both hardworking officers whose jobs were to go after the most dangerous criminals.
Hundreds of officers and many Phoenix residents had gathered at the hospital in a show of support.
"I just can't sit there at the house and wonder," said Barb Heller. "I'd rather be here where I am close and can pray and maybe the family can look out a window and know that somebody cared."
Holmes said the Phoenix police "enjoys the best community support in the country when it comes to law enforcement." He said the city's citizens help the men and woman in the department get through tough times.