Police: Slain Athens officer identified as Elmer Christian

ATHENS, Ga. - Two officers were shot in Athens Tuesday afteoon. Athens police said one officer was killed and the other officer is listed in critical condition. One unidentified suspect was taken into custody. Investigators said they are now searching for 33-year-old Jamie Hood.

Jamie Hood, 33, is accused in the shooting of two Athens-Clarke County police officers on Tuesday, March 22, 2011. This photo shows Hood in a previous mug shot.

Investigators said the officers were shot in the Sycamore Drive area, at the entrance to the Cascades on the River apartment complex. Police said the officers were shot while trying to stop a carjacking.

One officer was killed, and a second officer was badly wounded.

Senior Police Officer Elmer ”Buddy Christian, was fatally wounded. Athens investigators said SPO Christian, a veteran officer of the Athens-Clarke County Police Department, is survived by his wife, two sons, a daughter, his parents, and two brothers.

Family members of the wounded officer identified him as Officer Tony Howard. Family members said Officer Howard has been a member of the Athens-Clarke County Police Department for several years.

Family members said Officer Howard is a father of four children, all four of those children were at the Athens Regional Medical Center where Howard was taken for treatment.

Family members said Howard was in stable condition and went into to surgery for two gunshot wounds, one to the face and one to the shoulder.

Athens school officials said all schools in the area were placed on soft lockdown, while police searched for the suspect.  Officials said students were released at normal time but were possibly delayed getting home due to road closures in the area.  Parents with questions are asked to contact their child's school.  All evening activities for the entire school system have been cancelled.

Police say Hood should be considered armed and dangerous.

Officers said they found the silver 2001 Chevrolet Prizm with Georgia tag 375-GHX Hood was said to be driving on the other side of town, off Winterville Road around 5:15 p.m.  Police searched house-by-house for the suspect and have also searched nearby cars for Hood.

Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to Hood's arrest. Anyone with information on Hood's whereabouts is asked to call police.