Phoenix police officer wounded in shootout is ID'd

PHOENIX (AP) - A Phoenix police officer who was wounded in a shootout with a suspect earlier this week has been identified.

Police say Detective Albert J. Casados, a nine-year veteran, was released from a hospital Wednesday.

The 37-year-old Casados and Detective John Hobbs were conducting surveillance on a murder suspect Monday afternoon in west Phoenix.

The suspect spotted the undercover officers, attempted to flee, wrecked his car and engaged in a gunbattle.

Hobbs, a 21-year police veteran at age 43, died hours later from his injuries.

The suspect - 28-year-old William Thornton - was declared dead at the scene.

Police say Thornton was wanted on a probation violation warrant after having been released from prison in January, where he served time for a drug conviction and resisting arrest.