Aiken public safety officer dies of injuries

AIKEN, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina authorities say an Aiken police officer has died hours after being shot during a traffic stop.

The Aiken Public Safety Office confirmed Saturday evening that Master Cpl. Sandra E. Rogers, 49, died of injuries suffered earlier in the day.

Police said officers were responding to a report of suspicious activity involving two cars at around 7:30 a.m., and that Rogers was shot after stopping one of the vehicles.

The State Law Enforcement Division says 26-year-old Joshua Tremaine Jones was arrested Saturday, hours after the shooting was reported near a local park.

Rogers died after being taken to an area hospital.

According to WLTX-TV, public safety officials issued a statement praising Rogers as “an invaluable street cop who exemplified the model of a Public Safety Officer.”

This is the second time an Aiken police officer has been shot in just over a month. Officer Scotty Richardson was shot and killed on Dec. 20.