SEATTLE - King County Sheriff's Deputy Steve Cox died from a gunshot wound suffered at a home in Seattle's White Center neighborhood.

KING

Steve Cox didn't get a chance to draw his weapon before the suspect shot him in the head.

“We found a man when we got there that had been out drinking last night, got lost in the fog, shouldn't have been driving,” Urquhart said. “He ran into a car in front of this house where coincidentally a party was going on. People from this house came out, beat him, shot him a couple times.”

Cox and other officers went to investigate and began questioning at least a dozen people at nearby house party.

Cox was interviewing people in a back bedroom when he was shot in the head. Two deputies moved toward the back of the house and were fired upon. At least one officer returned fire and they rushed into the room.

The gunman then walked into a hallway with a gun in his hand. Another deputy shot and killed the gunman, who has not been identified.

Cox was rushed to Harboview Medical Center in critical condition where he later died.

Speaking at a news conference Saturday afternoon Sheriff's spokesman John Urquhart said police didn’t know those in the house had weapons, and that ”it’s unconstitutional to pat someone down for weapons” for routine questioning.

Cox’s gun remained in his holster the whole time.

“He never drew his gun,“ Urquhart said. "He knew what he was doing, I don’t fault him at all for what he did…that would be typical (procedure).

"We don’t know where the (suspect's) gun came from."

The gunman's identity has not yet been released. Police said he’s in his early 20's and lives in the area. Police are investigating whether he has any gang connections.

A number of people were taken to the precinct for questioning but none have been arrested, Urquhart said.

Deputies are still looking for the gunman who shot the man driving the truck.

Well known in the community

Cox was 46 years old and an eight-year-veteran of the Sheriff's office. He had patrolled the White Center area for more than three years.

He had a law degree, and served as a deputy prosecuting attorney in King, Franklin, and Adams counties before becoming a deputy sheriff.

Cox was also the president of the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council, and was a member of that group for many years. He was very active in the North Highline and White Center communities.

King County Sheriff Sue Rahr said Saturday morning she knew him well.

“In my last conversation with him, he was telling me about his new son,” she said. “And you would not find a more proud father, he was just so excited…So it’s tragic, very tragic.

"Steve epitomized the concept of community policing and giving back to the residents where you work."

“Everybody knew Steve,” said Sgt. John Urquhart.

Cox decided to make a career change nine years ago because “he loved police work, he thought he could make a difference as a cop. That’s where he thought he could have the most effect,” Urquhart said.