by that time.

Sgt. Chapin was hit by a bullet as he continued the pursuit near East Brainerd Road.

An employee of the Rib and Loin said shots were fired around 10:30 a.m. Employees of Big Lots also told of hearing gunshots.

A host of police officers quickly converged on the scene, including city officers and those from the sheriff's department.

A wide area was taped off ranging from near the South Chickamauga Creek bridge to beyond East Brainerd Road.

The officers who were involved in the shooting will all be on administrative leave per department policy. The sheriff's department will help in coverage while the officers are away from duty.

The probe of the incident will be carried out jointly by the city police, the sheriff's office, the TBI and the district attorney'soffice.

Chief Bobby Dodd said, "It's like losing a member of your family."

Mayor Ron Littlefield, who took part in an early afternoon news conference at the scene, expressed sorrow for the officer's family and asked for prayers for them and for his fellow officers.

County Commissioner Greg Beck, who was also at the scene, said, "I am so saddened for the officers family and for his fellow officers. We need to pull ourselves together and support our officers in these dangerous times. Every day they are laying their lives on the line for us."

County Mayor Jim Coppinger said, “We in Hamilton County government also mourn the death of Sgt. Tim Chapin Saturday morning in the line of duty. Sgt. Chapin’s regrettable murder is a grim reminder of the dangers first