(WWJ) — The wife of a Detroit police officer that was shot and killed on the city's west side Wednesday evening is grieving after authorities confirmed his identity on Thursday.
The Detroit Police Department said Officer Loren Courts, a husband and father of two children ages 15 and 9, died of his injuries after he responded to a call about a gunman firing shots on Joy Road near Marlow Street.
Loren's wife, Kristine, said in a post on social media that she and her family are heartbroken, but she wants the public to know Loren wasn't just a police officer.
"He was an amazing dad, my best friend and the man I married," Kristine said of her husband. "All the news articles talk about is a DPD officer. He was so much more to me and the kids. Our Batman!"
"I’m broken, I can’t begin to imagine how we are going to live without him," she continued. "My babies need him. I need him. I keep thinking I’m going to wake up from this nightmare and he’s going to come home."
"I’m completely heartbroken me and my babies will never be the same. I already miss his hugs, his voice, his jokes, and his smile with those eyes. Rest In Peace daddy, we will never stop loving you."
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Authorities said the shooting occurred around 7 p.m. on Wednesday evening. Loren was shot almost immediately upon arrival from a suspect wielding a Draco Assault Rifle.
"Sadly the officer was struck and succumbed to his injuries. His partner was able to return fire, and the subject was fatally struck as well,' Police Chief James White told reporters in a press conference.
It is not known what prompted the suspect to open fire.
White said Loren was a five-year veteran of the department who came from a family of police officers — his father recently retired from the force.
"We lost a hero today," White said.
Authorities plan to release more information surrounding the shooting on Thursday afternoon.
The identify of the suspect has not been released.
Stay tuned to WWJ Newsradio 950 for the latest details on this developing story.