Story highlights Memphis Police Department officer struck, killed by carSuspect had fled the scene of two shootings, in which three men were shot(CNN) A Memphis Police Department officer is dead following a string of shootings near the city's famed Beale street, authorities said. Smith was killed after two separate shootings Saturday night. Officer Verdell Smith, 46, was struck by a suspect's vehicle while trying to clear a crime scene at about 10:20 p.m. local time Saturday, Memphis Police Department Director Mike Rallings told reporters. I most certainly will not, and I will continue to act to make our city safer." "I am angry this morning -- angry at the senseless loss of a dedicated public servant, and angry at the absolutely unacceptable level of violence in our city," Mayor Jim Strickland said in a statement.

Source: CNN June 05, 2016 08:15 UTC