Patch Exclusive: Photos of Shot-up Riverside Police Cruiser

RIVERSIDE, CA -- Patch spotted this police cruiser about a quarter mile from the Riverside police station, where a press conference was held earlier Thursday to detail the shooting which claimed the life of an 11-year police force veteran.

In the photos, bullet holes can be seen in the front and rear windshields.  At the press conference, police had described how bullets entered the front windshield, and exited the rear.

The officer who was killed-- who was training another, younger officer-- had been with the police department for 11 years, according to Police Chief Sergio Diaz.

Diaz, who did not wish for the media to identify the officer at this time, praised the 34-year-old slain man as a “very well respected officer" who was admired for his “tactical prowess."

The other officer, a 27-year-old who has been with the department for less than a year after transferring from another agency, was expected to survive, according to Diaz.  He was taken to Riverside Community Hospital.

Diaz said both officers were struck in the upper body, and neither had time to return fire on the alleged shooter.

Anyone with background information about suspect Christopher Dorner was asked to call the Riverside Police Department's tip line at 951-353-7980.

“If you see this man call 911, but if you have some background information or something that you think could help his capture, call this tip line,” Diaz said.

Christopher Jordan Dorner, 33, is suspected of fatally shooting a man and woman in Irvine Sunday night in a premeditated attack the ex-cop perpetrated in apparent revenge over being terminated from the police force because of disciplinary issues in 2008.

He posted an online manifesto vowing to kill others, investigators allege. His potential targets were given police protection, and at about 1:15 a.m. Thursday, Dorner allegedly got into a shootout with two LAPD officers near the Corona home of one prospective victim.

One LAPD officer suffered a grazing wound; his partner escaped injury. Dorner then allegedly drove into Riverside and opened fire on two patrolmen in a "cowardly ambush" at the intersection of Arlington and Magnolia avenues, Diaz said.

"There were some heroic acts on the part of residents of this city," the chief said in reference to what happened immediately after the two officers were hit. He said details would be released in the coming days.

-- City News Service contributed to this report.

Patch News Coverage of the Search for Chris Dorner: 

• DORNER MANHUNT: Armed Deputies Vigilant on Snowbound Mountain Roads
• TIMELINE: How the Events Surrounding Christopher Dorner Unfolded
• Patch Exclusive: Photos of Shot-up Riverside Police Cruiser
• Winter Storm Warning for Mountains Where Dorner Search is Under Way
• DORNER MANIFESTO: Rogue Officer Posted His Plan for 'Last Resort' Online
• BREAKING NEWS: Watch the Police Dorner Press Conference Live
• Suspect Identified in the Slayings of Former Walnut High Athlete and Her Fiance

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