Inglewood Police Sgt. Slain

An Inglewood police sergeant in pursuit of two armed robbers today was shot and killed by the gunmen. The sergeant, whose name was withheld until relatives could be notified, was shot about 10:30 a.m. near the intersection of La Brea Avenue and Arbor Vitae Street and died shortly afterward at Centinela Hospital Medical Center. A police spokesman said it was the first time an Inglewood officer was killed in the line of duty.

The sergeant had been flagged down by a courier who reported he was robbed at gunpoint, the spokesman said. The sergeant pursued the suspects, who opened fire from their car, striking him in the chest. The gunman and a second man in the car fled and were being sought.