Brother: Slain Cold Spring Officer Loved Travel, Hunting

A younger brother of a slain Minnesota police officer says his brother was bright and animated, someone who loved to travel and be outdoors.

Twenty-seven-year-old Joe Decker of Cold Spring says Tom Decker was shy as a youngster but "the life of the party" as an adult.

Cold Spring police say Tom Decker was shot and killed late Thursday night as he responded to a report of a possibly suicidal man. The suspect has been arrested.

Joe Decker said Friday his brother enjoyed fishing and going pheasant hunting.

He also says his family assumed Tom Decker would be a doctor or pharmacist because he had so much medical knowledge, and they were surprised when he decided to become a police officer.

Joe Decker says the family is still in shock.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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