Man accused of killing officer: "I hate cops and I'm guilty"

MINNEAPOLIS - Prosecutors have charged a man suspected of killing a Mendota Heights, Minn. police officer with first-degree murder. Documents say he told police: "I hate cops and I'm guilty."

The Star Tribune reports 39-year-old Brian George Fitch Sr. also was charged Friday with several counts of attempted murder and assault for firing at police officers during a standoff eight hours after the killing.

Fitch, of Mendota Heights, faces two counts of first-degree murder in Dakota County in the shooting death of Officer Scott Patrick.

Patrick was killed Wednesday, July 30 during a traffic stop. Authorities arrested Fitch later that day after a manhunt. Fitch remained in serious condition Thursday with injuries he suffered during a shootout with police. He was due to undergo abdominal surgery on Friday.

Authorities say they may never know the reason for the traffic stop that ended in Officer Patrick's death.

Court records show Fitch was wanted because he left a drug treatment program.

The 19-year police veteran leaves behind a wife and two teenage children. Patrick is the first officer killed in the line of duty in the history of the Mendota Heights Police Department.

His funeral is scheduled for Wednesday.