Investigators are looking of the man who shot a police officer in north central California during a traffic stop.

Ileana Diaz reported from Los Angeles.

A desperate manhunt is underway in California for a man who killed a police officer at a traffic stop on the day after Christmas.

“We will relentlessly continue to hunt our suspect down and bring him to justice,” said Sheriff Adam Christianson, Stanislaus County Sheriff Department.

Investigators say they have identified the suspect, but have not released a name or photo. He is seen in surveillance video shortly before Newman Police Corporal Ronil Singh was shot.

“Perhaps, if he is listening, watching television, reading it, whatever it is, we encourage strongly encourage him to surrender himself peacefully,” said Sheriff Christianson.

Singh, a 33-year-old native of Fiji who joined the force seven years ago, was shot multiple times.

Corporal Singh absolutely tried to defend himself and stop this credible threat,” said Sheriff Christianson.

It was just after 1 a.m. when Singh called out of his radio, “Shots fired, I’ve been hit.”

Responding officers found Singh on the ground. He died at a nearby hospital.

The suspect’s truck, which had paper license plates, was later found in a mobile home park outside Newman.

A grieving police chief says this was the first time a Newman officer has been killed in the line of duty.

“He doesn’t get to hold that little boy, hug his wife, say goodnight anymore because a coward took his life,” said Chief Randy Richardson, Newman Police Department.

Singh he was a K9 officer specializing in narcotics detection.

Investigators say the suspect is in the country illegally, and they think he’s still in Stanislaus County, where the killing happened.