THE fatal shooting of a Kansas police officer was simply the work of “another criminal” trying to evade arrest and not a planned ambush authorities said.

Captain Robert Dave Melton was killed in Kansas City after a pursuit with a suspect who had been involved in an earlier drive-by shooting.

The death was the latest in a horror month for US police, prompting authorities to issue a call for calm.

Police Chief Terry Zeigler told Associated Press while the attack wasn’t part of the recent string of shootings of police, the hate against police must stop.

“This crime does not fit into the national narrative of planned attacks against law enforcement officers, but it does fit the narrative when it comes to the fact that words matter,” he said.

“The hate and anti-police speech has got to stop because the consequences are real.”

The police chief was the one who tweeted the news that an officer was down and had been shot.

We have an officer shot at 22nd & Haskell. Start prayers, unknown condition. — Terry Zeigler (@KCKPDChief) July 19, 2016

Tragically Cpt Melton was pronounced dead a short time later.

Police said Cpt Melton was responding to an earlier incident where a man reported he was being shot at from a car.

Officers arrived on the scene but the suspects fled before one was taken into custody.

It is believed the captain was chasing other suspects when he was shot and killed.

It is also understood he was wearing a bulletproof vest at the time,KSHB Action News reported.

The death is the latest death to rock America’s police force, fuelling debate on gun laws and racial tensions.

However at a press conference held at the University of Kansas Hospital, authorities urged for calm and asked the community not to jump to conclusions.

Mayor and CEO of the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City Mark Holland said it was a time of grief and reflection.

“We ask everyone to be just prayerful,” Holland said.

“We have a lot of grief already, but for this to strike again with a lot of energy and a lot of pain. Don’t jump to conclusions. We have to investigate and get the facts.”

It is the second police death in as many months for the department after Detective Brad Lancaster who was shot in May.

Mr Holland said the community and country was broken and urged people not to go down a path of fear.

Cpt Melton had served as captain of the Kansas City, KS Police Department since May 2015, KCTV5 reported and had also served as a police sergeant for eight years prior to that.

The latest shooting sparked a wave of tweets from other police departments, which are mourning the loss of yet another one of their own.

@KCKPDChief Praying with you all! — Raytown Police Dept. (@RaytownPD) July 19, 2016

@KCKPDChief Prayers from Platte City PD for you and your officers. — Rick Boyle (@ChaplainRickB) July 19, 2016

@KCKPDChief hoping for the best Chief, Stay strong — Chief James Healy (@ChiefHealy) July 19, 2016

Cpt Melton’s death follows a horror month for the US police force.

Five officers were killed on July 7 after a gunman opened fire during a protest march in Dallas, Texas.

Micah Johnson, an army veteran, shot the officers and was then killed by police after negotiations broke down.

Three more officers were gunned down and three more wounded in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on July 18 after a gunman opened fire.

Gavin Eugene reportedly carried out the attack on his 29th birthday and was shot dead at the scene.

US Republican representative Kevin Yoder told KCTV5 the killing of law enforcement officers must stop.

“For the second time in only two months the Kansas City Kansas Police Department is dealing with the tragic loss of one of its own,” Mr Yoder said in a statement.

“We want to thank the doctors and nurses at KU Hospital who did everything in their power to try and save his life and hope we can all honour his memory by coming together as a community. The tragic killing of our law enforcement officers must stop.”