Story highlights
Officer Douglas Barney, an 18-year veteran of law enforcement, was killed
Officer Jon Richey was injured
Police have arrested a female suspect who is being questioned in connection with the shooting
The man accused of shooting and killing Officer Douglas Barney in Utah was no stranger to the law.
Cory Henderson, 31, faced multiple state and federal charges going back more than 10 years, according CNN affiliate KUTV.
Henderson pleaded guilty to possessing an unregistered sawed-off rifle in 2005, and in 2010 pleaded guilty to felony possession of a firearm, KUTV reported. Both were federal charges.
Henderson also pleaded not guilty to federal drug and gun charges just last month, KUTV said.
A federal magistrate judge sent Henderson to a treatment center run by the Utah Department of Corrections. A representative told KUTV that Henderson walked away from the center on December 18. Law enforcement was notified and a fugitive warrant was issued.
Traffic accident and shooting
The violence began when officers from the Unified Police Department of Greater Salt Lake responded to a traffic accident and began to search for two suspects who had fled.
Officer Douglas Barney, 44, located the male suspect, who then shot the officer, police said.
Additional officers responded to the scene.
There was a shootout between them and the suspect, during which Officer Jon Richey, 51, was injured and the gunman – identified as Cory Henderson, 31 – was killed, police said.
Officers Barney and Richey were transported to an area hospital where Barney later died as a result of his injuries. He was an 18-year veteran of law enforcement.
Richey was described by police as being in serious condition, but improving.
“Today a husband and father left his wife and three children, put on a badge, and promised to return home soon. On behalf of Utah residents from across the state, our hearts are broken for the family of Officer Doug Barney who gave the ultimate sacrifice today while in the line of duty,” Utah Gov. Gary Herbert said in a statement.
Police spokesman Lt. Lex Bell told CNN that a female suspect has been arrested and is being questioned in connection with the shooting.
“She matches the description of a woman who was walking away from the scene of the accident and she is one of many female acquaintances of the suspect. At this point she is just being held for leaving the scene of an accident,” Bell said.
The spokesman also said that Henderson had been wanted for a state parole violation and a federal arms violation.
CNN’s Emily Smith and Tony Marco contributed to this report.