Ariz. police officer killed, 2 wounded

PHOENIX, July 29 (UPI) -- A Chandler, Ariz., police officer was shot and killed and two officers were wounded during an undercover drug operation, authorities said.

The shooting occurred Wednesday evening in south Phoenix, during an operation involving what police characterized as a large quantity of marijuana, The Arizona Republic reported.

All three officers who were shot when gunfire broke out at a residence in south Phoenix were taken to St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix, where one was pronounced dead, the newspaper said. Police identified him Thursday as Carlos Ledesma, 32, a father of two.

Police said two suspects were dead and two suspects were hospitalized for gunshot wounds. In all, six suspects were taken into custody.

The two officers who were wounded, both of Chandler, were expected to survive, authorities said. Their names, and the names of the suspects killed and wounded, were not released.

Chandler Police Chief Sherry Kiyler said Thursday Ledesma "gave his life last night for this community."

Phoenix police Sgt. Steve Martos said about a dozen officers were involved in the operation, including members of the Chandler SWAT team. Martos said no Phoenix police officers were involved in the operation.

Police said they were looking into the possibility that suspected drug dealers intended to rob the undercover officers, the newspaper reported.