Officer made up story about shooting before crashing cruiser, police say
Massive manhunt launched after Millis officer reports shooting
UPDATED 3:24 PM EDT Sep 03, 2015
MILLIS, Mass. —
A Millis police officer who said someone shot at his police cruiser Wednesday afternoon before it crashed and caught on fire is accused of fabricating the story, police said.
The officer said he was traveling on Forest Road when he saw a red or maroon pickup truck traveling in the opposite direction. He said when the two vehicles met, the driver opened fire on the police cruiser, police say.
"My cruiser's been shot at. I'm at Forest Road. It's going to be a dark maroon pickup," the officer radioed to dispatch at 2:17 p.m.
The officer said he spun around, and in an attempt to avoid the gunfire and seek shelter, he slammed into a tree and the cruiser burst into flames.
A massive manhunt for the alleged gunman was launched. The neighborhood was immediately locked down while police units, including a SWAT team, K-9 officers and a Massachusetts State Police helicopter combed the area.
Millis Police Sgt. William Dwyer said the officer is new to the force and has not yet attended the police academy.
Dwyer said the officer will be terminated, and his name will not be released until the investigation is complete.
"I am very upset and don't know how to feel right now," Dwyer said. "The public is safe and should feel secure in their homes and the community."
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