Englewood police officer Jeremy Bitner died early Monday, Chief John Collins said this afternoon.

Bitner, 39, was struck by an alleged drunk driver during a traffic stop.

The news was released today, “because we wanted to give the family some space and some time for recovery,” Collins said.

Though Collins wasn’t sure, Bitner could be the first Englewood officer killed in the line of duty.

“Officer Bitner loved his job,” Collins said. “He served his country and the city of Englewood with honor.”

Bitner, who served in the U.S. Army in Bosnia, is survived by a wife and two children, ages 9 and 7, Collins said.

Funeral arrangements and a memorial fund are pending

Bitner was talking with a 20-year-old man he had just pulled over for a possible traffic violation near the intersection of South Broadway Street and East Belleview Avenue Monday morning when an SUV slammed into both of them and took off. According to police, 20-year-old Connor Donohue was driving the SUV. Police say he was caught a few minutes later and arrested.

The man Bitner was talking to, Kevin Montoya, was in critical condition on Tuesday.

On Tuesday morning, Donohue faced a judge. His bond was set at $100,000.