A Navajo Nation police officer in New Mexico was shot and killed while responding to a domestic violence call, authorities said Sunday.

Officer Houston James Largo, 27, was pronounced dead at University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque, where he had been airlifted after the shooting in the small town of Prewitt.

Authorities said a suspect was in custody, but no other information was immediately available. The FBI is investigating the shooting, along with the tribe.

In a statement, the FBI described Largo as a decorated officer with five years of service.

"We pray for the officer, his family and the police force," Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye said in a statement before Largo died.

"Our officers put themselves in highly volatile situations every day in addressing domestic violence situations," Begaye said. "Although they are highly trained, they can still be severely wounded, which unfortunately is what happened today."

Begaye said the tribe recently upgraded equipment and protective devices for its police department.

"This sad news reinforces the dangers our police officers face every day -- so we and our families don't have to," New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez said in a statement. "I'm confident the monster who took this brave officer from us will face the full measure of justice."



The New Mexico State Police and McKinley County Sheriff's Office also were assisting with the investigation.

The Navajo Nation covers 27,425 square miles in portions of Arizona, Utah and New Mexico.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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