Multiple departments across the Permian Basin have come out to support the Midland Police Department following the death of a police officer early Tuesday morning. "Our hearts go out to our brothers and sisters...We experienced a loss of an officer and it's not something we would wish on anyone. Time will be on their side. It will be hard, but they will get past this. [MCSO] officers are having a very hard time and are very sad. We knew Nathan and he was a very well-liked individual, and our officers had a tremendous amount of respect for him. We are available to help [MPD] in any way that we can," Midland County Sheriff Gary Painter said. The Odessa Police Department has posted on their Facebook encouraging Odessa residents to replace their porch lights with blue bulbs for the next two weeks in remembrance of the fallen officer. They release the following statement: "Our thoughts and prayers are with the Midland Police Department. All Odessa Police officers will be wearing mourning bands over their badges in remembrance of the Fallen MPD officer. All flags in front of OPD will also be lowered to half staff. The Odessa Police Department would like to encourage the citizens of Odessa to replace their porch lights with blue bulbs for the next two weeks in remembrance of the fallen officer." Mark Henry Dettman, MPD chaplain released the following statement: "Days like today are difficult -- for the family and loved ones, for fellow police officers, for all in our community. Midland has lost two law enforcement officers recently -- Hayden Heidelberg today and Mike Naylor in 2014. That is two too many. I was at the hospital this morning with the family and so many of his fellow police officers. There are no words sufficient to comfort in times like these. I find comfort in knowing that Officer Heidelberg is in Heaven with our Jesus and I hope and pray that his family and fellow police officers can find peace in knowing that he is with our Lord and Savior and that we will all see him again one day. During this time, I would ask all of Midland to pray for those who are hurting, to pray for peace and comfort for his family and for our law enforcement, and to pray for protection over all of our first responders. Midland is a special place, and I know that together we will get through this." The Midland Police Department identified the officer as Nathan Heidelberg. Officer Heidelberg died this morning after being shot while responding to an alarm at a local residence, according to the city's spokesman. Heidelberg, his probationary police officer and two additional officers loudly announced their presence to the homeowner, who believed his home was being broken into, according to a press release from the city. "The homeowner fired rounds toward the flashlight being held by Officer Heidelberg, striking him above his protective vest," the spokesman said in the release. Heidelberg was a field training officer and had been employed with MPD for five years.<doc-sep>The shooting of Midland Police Department Officer Nathan Heidelberg took place in north central Midland and appears to have involved a Midlander named David Charles Wilson. Officials with the Department of Public Safety and Odessa Police Department were controlling traffic Tuesday afternoon on a cul-de-sac north of Cardinal Lane and west of Midkiff Road. A DPS official said they were in the 3300 block of Eagle Cove in response to the shooting of Heidelberg.<doc-sep>A Texas police officer was responding to a burglar alarm when the homeowner mistook him for an intruder and fatally shot him on Tuesday morning, reports said. The Midland police officer identified as Nathan Heidelberg, 28, died around 8:30 a.m. at a local hospital, Midland's KOSA-TV reported. The homeowner, identified as David Charles Wilson, was arrested Tuesday and charged with manslaughter before being released on bond, the Midland Reporter-Telegram reported. OFFICERS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY IN 2018 Wilson's attorney Brian Carney told the paper that his client believed that his family was experiencing a home invasion and "only fired his weapon to protect his family." “We would like to express our deepest sympathies to Officer Heidelberg’s family and the Midland Police Department for the events that led to his death,” Carney said. Heidelberg is a five-year veteran of the Midland Police Department. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP "I'm asking our community to come together today and this week to lift our fallen police officer, Officer Heidelberg, his family and the Midland Police Department family in prayer," Midland Mayor Jerry Morales said on Facebook. "This is a tragic loss for our community."<doc-sep>
FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM/AP) — The body of a Midland Police officer who was shot and killed by a homeowner who believed he was being burglarized Monday, was escorted by Fort Worth Police officers on the way to the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office Tuesday afternoon for autopsy. Fort Worth Police tweeted, “Between 3 – 3:30 p.m. there will be a line of police vehicles from I20 W, heading to I35W – the line will be escorting a fallen @MidlandTXPD to the #TarrantCounty ME’s office.” Between 3 – 3:30 p.m. there will be a line of police vehicles from I20 W, heading to I35W – the line will be escorting a fallen @MidlandTXPD to the #TarrantCounty ME's office. @tarrantcountyso — Fort Worth Police (@fortworthpd) March 5, 2019 City officials in Midland say Officer Nathan Heidelberg, who was responding to an alarm call, died early Tuesday after being struck by gunfire just above his protective vest. Authorities say Heidelberg was with three other officers when they identified themselves at the home but the homeowner fired several shots toward the flashlight held by Heidelberg. He was a field training officer who had been employed by the department for five years. The Texas Rangers are investigating the shooting. The Midland Reporter-Telegram, citing the Officer Down Memorial Page, reports that Heidelberg is the first Midland officer to die in the line of duty since 1961. Midland Police Chief Seth Herman said on the department’s Facebook page, “It is with the utmost sorrow that we acknowledge the passing of our family member. Officer Nathan Heidelberg, a five-year veteran of the Midland Police Department, represented the best in all of us. He was courageous, selfless, ethical and professional. Nathan treated others with respect, regardless of their demeanor or actions. He was a tireless public servant who devoted every ounce of energy to this profession, the citizens and his fellow officers. We have lost not only a great officer, but a loving brother and the most positive example of what we should all aspire to be. I wish I was more like Nathan.” David Charles Wilson, the homeowner, is charged with manslaughter, a second-degree felony. (© Copyright 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)