DEVELOPING STORY--Suspected Cop Killer Captured By Authorities In POG

Alleged gunman found lying in the street

SUTTERTON, POG--The man suspected of shooting and killing a Wilkonshire police officer Monday night has been arrested by authorities in Province of Grassadella.

Wayne Alan Austin, 43, was arrested in the town of Sutterton, about 180 miles northwest of Lillac City, and more than 130 miles from the deadly crime scene in southeastern Wilkonshire. Police say Austin was found lying in an empty city street Tuesday morning, after neighbors called 911. He was "highly intoxicated" at the time of his arrest and was "unconscious, incoherent, and unstable" when officers arrived, authorities told the media.

"Mr. Austin was found lying in the street, unconscious and in need of medical care. He was taken to the hospital and has since been released. He will soon be transported back to Wilkonshire, where he will face charges," Mark Rodoff, a spokesman for the Caspella County Sheriff's Department told the NPF.

Rodoff would not specify when Austin would be taken back to Wilkonshire; only saying it's "likely" he will be transported Wednesday morning.

Back in Petersboro, Wilkonshire, where the shooting occurred, local authorities were investigating the crime scene again early this morning. Police also continued interviewing the other three people who witnessed the gun fight, although all three were heavily intoxicated with drugs and alcohol at the time of the shooting, police said.

Meanwhile, the slain officer's identity has been released. Mosier County Sheriff Ron Wayneman said Tuesday afternoon Officer Jeff Ziegle, 35, who worked for the Saragen Police Department, a neighboring jurisdiction, was killed after being shot seven times. Saragen Police Chief Randy Altmeier confirmed Ziegle, who had worked for the department for seven years, was the deceased officer.

"This is a very sad day for our department. We are a very small force. We're all very close. And this really is a huge loss for us," Altmeier told members of the media outside Saragen's small police headquarters.

Wayneman said his department will handle the investigation, as the shooting occurred outside the Petersboro city limits. Police already know the alleged gunman was engaged in a domestic dispute with the other three people at the residence. When Ziegle arrived at the home, he got in a brief verbal argument with the suspect, who was intoxicated. Ziegle then called for back-up, moments before being shot seven times in the back, legs, and head. Amazingly, Ziegle maintained consciousness for a few minutes after being shot. He was able to radio dispatchers and alert them he had been wounded.

Back-up units arrived about 10 minutes later, but Ziegle was pronounced dead at the scene. The suspect immediately fled.

What's still unclear, however, is why Ziegle responded to the call in the first place, as he worked for the Saragen Police Department. The small town of Saragen is about seven miles away from the scene of the shooting, making the call clearly outside Ziegle's jurisdiction.

"That's certainly something we'll be looking into," Sheriff Wayneman told the media. "We want to know exactly why Jeff responded to this call and why other units that were closer didn't respond."

The reaction across the state and across the country has been overwhelming. Responses from police departments all over the nation are pouring in with messages of gratitude and support. Wilkonshire Governor Caroline Jepsey ordered flags be flown at half-staff across the state, and offered her condolences.

"This is a tragedy that has taken a brave hero from us," Jepsey said Wednesday afternoon at a press conference at the state capitol in Provincetown. "Officer Ziegle was a true hero, a compassionate public servant, and a man of values and conviction. His family and friends, and the Saragen Police Department, are in our thoughts and prayers."

Officer Ziegle leaves behind his wife Gina, to whom he was married for four years, and two children, ages five and three.