JEFFERSON CO., Mo. - An Arnold police officer is out of surgery and in critical condition after he was shot Tuesday afternoon.
"The official condition of Officer O’Connor is critical, but stable. At this point, the medical staff has relayed to the family that Officer O’Connor has a long road to recovery, and his condition could change by the hour," St. Louis County Police said in a press release Wednesday.
Police said the officer, 44-year-old Ryan O'Connor, was shot once in the head while he was transporting the suspect of a burglary to the Arnold Police Station for booking.
The suspect, 29-year-old Chad L. Klahs, was shot during the incident, and at this time police said it was self-inflicted.
O'Connor has been with the Arnold Police Department for at least two years, and has been an officer for 20 years. He was with the St. Louis County Police Department for 12 years. He's married with four children.
The suspect, 29-year-old Chad L. Klahs, was shot in the incident and died just before 2:40 p.m. Jefferson County Sheriff's Office said Klahs has a long criminal background including unlawful use of a weapon.
The mugshot below is from a previous arrest.
It all started when police were called to the 1800 block of Fox Point around 12:45 p.m. Tuesday on a burglary call.
The Jefferson County spokesperson said a gun was stolen in the initial incident before the suspect ran into the woods nearby. Police said they heard gunshots coming from the woods while looking for the suspect, but were not sure if the shots were being fired at officers. Klahs continued to run and eventually stole another gun while fleeing. He was eventually taken into custody near a gas station on Jeff. Co. Boulevard.
According to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, O'Connor was transporting the suspect to the Arnold Police Department for booking when O'Connor was shot near the back of the head. The suspect was handcuffed, but had a gun in the back seat and managed to shoot the officer. Police were unaware that the suspect had a second gun that was apparently stolen from a vehicle.
Over a year ago, two Arnold police officers were shot while responding to a family disturbance at JeffCo Estates mobile home park.
Jefferson County Sheriff Dave Marshak said people should vet all fundraising efforts before donating.
The St. Louis Police Officers Association said the O'Connor Family is asking for donations for Ryan to be made to Shield of Home, the Fraternal Order of Police charity. Donations can be made on a GoFundMe page set up for the officer or sent by mail to 3710 Hampton Rd., St. Louis MO 63109.
Backstoppers, which has already given the family $5,000, now helps 83 families of injured or fallen officers. For more information and how to donate, click here.
Donations are also being accepted at Fortune Bank located at 3494 Jeff Co. Boulevard.
