A Northampton County community is mourning the death of a local hero.
Officer Robert Lasso, 31, of the Freemansburg Police Department was killed in the line of duty on Thursday.
Investigators say that Lasso was responding to a disturbance call at a Freemansburg home on Washington Street around 5:15 p.m.
Police say he was confronted by a 46-year-old George Hitcho Jr. and shot in the head at close range.
Lasso was rushed to St. Luke's Hospital in Fountain Hill where he was pronounced dead around 6 p.m.
"He died as a result of a gunshot wound," said Lehigh County Coroner Scott Grimm. "At this point I'm ruling the manner of death a homicide."
Hitcho Jr was charged with the murder of Officer Lasso early Friday morning.
Neighbors described Hitcho as a loud and belligerent man who few people associated with.
Lasso was a 7-year veteran of the force.
Local
Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood.
"Officer Lasso was a dedicated police officer and a family man," said Morganelli. "He was married and a father of two small children."
Police recovered a shotgun at the scene as evidence. Detectives continue to investigate.
