An Aurora police officer died early today from injuries suffered during a one-vehicle crash in the line of duty.

Officer Doug Byrne, 37, died about 2 a.m., some six hours after he was ejected from his patrol car when he tried to avoid a car that had stopped in front of him as he was responding to a call with his lights and siren activated.

The crash happened about 7:30 p.m. Sunday near Laredo Street and East Sixth Avenue.

Witnesses said the officer swerved to avoid the car that stopped in his lane of traffic. The patrol car rolled several times and Byrne was ejected from the vehicle.

It was not known how fast Byrne was traveling. He was flown by Flight for Life to Swedish Medical Center with what were believed to be serious head injuries as well as a chest injury.

Aurora police Chief Daniel Oates said Byrne has been with the department for three years and has significant prior law enforcement experience. "He’s a veteran of the first Gulf War. And, he’s a hero," Oates said.

The chief has planned a press conference for 3 p.m. today.

The vehicle that stopped in front of the officer left the scene and police are trying to locate it.