MIDLAND, TX (KWES) - Five-year veteran of the Midland Police Department Nathan Heidelberg died Tuesday morning after being shot on duty.
According to an affidavit, Officer Heidelberg and one other officer were called to a panic alarm at the 3300 block of Eagle Cove in Midland around 1:16 a.m.
Police approached the residence, walked around it and noticed the front door was open. Around the same time, two other officers arrived to assist.
One officer stated they could clearly hear Officer Heidelberg announce himself as Midland Police Department before hearing a shot fired.
Soon after, two other officers arrived to the scene and stated they heard Heidelberg announce himself as Midland Police before hearing a gunshot.
The officer then asked if Officer Heidelberg was okay.
Heidelberg said he was ok, but another noise was heard and the two officers found Officer Heidelberg face down.
After attempting life saving measures, Heidelberg was transported to Midland Memorial Hospital.
Officer Heidelberg succumbed to his injuries and died at approximately 2:20 a.m.
A Texas Ranger spoke with the homeowner, David Charles Wilson, who admitted he was inside the residence and fired a handgun in the direction of Officer Heidelberg.
Wilson was arrested and charged with manslaughter in the shooting, but later released on a $75,000 bond.
The attorneys for Wilson have released a statement on the matter:
We would like to express our deepest sympathies to Officer Heidelberg’s family and the Midland Police Department for the events that lead to his death. We are cooperating with investigators to attempt to learn all the material facts as soon as possible. David Wilson believed that his family was experiencing a home invasion and only fired his weapon to protect his family.
Since learning of the officer’s death, the community has taken to social media to give their condolences.
Mayor Morales posting on Facebook, “Please keep the family & MPD in your prayers.” He also asked the community to lower their flags in honor of the officer.
The body was transported to Tarrant County for an autopsy on Tuesday afternoon. The Sweetwater Fire Department honored him at the Arizona bridge.
Officer Heidelberg’s funeral has been set for 2 p.m. on March 8 at First Baptist Church of Midland, it will be open to the public.
If you would like to leave flowers for the officer’s family, his cruiser will be on display outside of the police department through 8 a.m. on March 11.
