Acting Mexican police chief killed outside his home

Edgar Millan Gomez was shot 10 times after opening the door to his Mexico City apartment complex, where at least one gunman was waiting for him before dawn, the Public Safety Department said. Two bodyguards were also wounded. Millan died hours later at a hospital.

President Felipe Calderon's government said Millan had played a vital role in the country's fight against organized crime and denounced "this cowardly killing of an exemplary official."

Millan, 41, was named acting chief of the federal police March 1 after his superior was promoted to a deputy Cabinet position, said a police official who was not authorized to give his name.

Police were investigating and had not yet determined a motive for the pre-dawn attack, the official said. One suspect with a record of car theft was arrested.

U.S. Ambassador Tony Garza sent his condolences to Millan's family.

"Mexico has lost another hero," Garza said in a statement Thursday. "Another death which brings outrage to all who admire and respect the thousands of selfless officials who dedicate their lives to the betterment of their country."

Garza urged U.S. lawmakers to approve the Merida Initiative, a US$500 million (euro326 million) proposal that would help fight drug crime in Mexico. He called the package "critical" to "our joint fight against these criminals."

Mexico has suffered a wave of organized crime and drug-related violence, in which more than 2,500 people died last year alone.

Since taking office in 2006, Calderon has sent more than 24,000 soldiers to drug hotspots. Millan was in charge of coordinating operations between the federal police and those troops.