OAKLAND — Four Oakland, Calif., police officers were shot to death in two separate incidents involving one suspect near the Eastmont police substation Saturday afternoon after a man pulled over for a routine traffic stop opened fire, police said.

The man, a 27-year-old Oakland resident, was later fatally shot in a gun battle with SWAT officers in a nearby apartment complex where he hid.

Authorities discovered the alleged gunman, 27-year-old LaVelle Mixon, had an extensive criminal history. At the time of the shooting, he was in violation of parole for assault with a deadly weapon, police said.

The veteran officers killed were sergeants: Mark Dunakin, 40, of Tracy, a traffic officer with the department since 1991; Erv Romans, 43, of Danville, a 13-year veteran with the force; and Dan Sakai, 35, a nine-year veteran, police said. Romans and Sakai were SWAT team members. This was the first time any sergeant in the department had been slain.

Officer John Hege, 41, of Concord, was on life support and later died at Highland Hospital. A fifth officer who was not identified was grazed by a bullet. He was treated and released from the hospital.

- Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of these brave men.

Update:

Oakland, CALIFORNIA (BNO NEWS) – Four Oakland, California police officers were killed in the line of duty on Saturday in two separate shootings, officials tell BNO News.

Shortly before 9 p.m., California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger issued a statement saying four officers had lost their lives in the shootings. Minutes later, however, Oakland’s acting Police Chief Howard Jordan said the fourth officer had not died and was still in critical condition.

Asked about the conflicting information, a spokeswoman for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger told BNO News that their information indicates four officers had died. About 40 minutes later, after the office had double-checked their information, they re-confirmed their death toll is accurate and that they wouldn’t be issuing a correction.

Calls from BNO News to the Oakland Police Department seeking a comment were not immediately returned. The statement from Gov. Schwarzenegger can be found below.

“This is a tragic day for law enforcement officers everywhere. All four officers dedicated their lives to public safety and selflessly worked to protect the people of Oakland. Maria and I join the Bay Area in remembering their service and honoring their sacrifice. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those lost, the Oakland Police Department and law enforcement officers throughout California during this difficult time.”

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