The name has been released of the officer who was hurt in a gunfire exchange in Delaware County that killed a suspect

Chester police commissioner Steven Gretsky says the officer is recovering and will be released from the hospital soon.

Officers stand around a police car at the scene of a shooting.

(Courtesy of 6abc)

Authorities have identified a southeastern Pennsylvania police officer wounded in an exchange of gunfire that killed a suspect over the weekend.

The Delaware County District Attorney’s Office on Sunday identified the wounded officer as Chester Police Detective Steve Byrne, saying in a social media post that officials were “deeply saddened” by Saturday afternoon’s events but “enormously grateful” that Byrne was expected to make a full recovery.

“Another reminder that every day, brave men and women put their lives on the line to protect and serve their community. We can’t thank them enough for what they do,” the office said.

  • WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer told reporters Saturday that the officer was trying to stop a vehicle and the driver “got out of the car shooting his gun, firing at the police officer.”

Steven Gretsky, Chester’s police commissioner, said the officer is one of the department’s senior detectives. He said in a social media post Saturday night that the officer was “currently recovering at a local hospital and will be released in the near future.”

“The individual who shot the officer was also shot and pronounced deceased,” Gretsky said. That person’s name hasn’t been released.

Further details on the circumstances of the shooting or the injuries to the officer and suspect weren’t immediately released. The district attorney’s office is handling the investigation.

  • WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

Get the WHYY app!

WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.

Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal