killed by police in an inner Melbourne

shootout that also left a

policeman injured.

Ograzden, 25, of Essendon, had a

long and violent criminal history and

was wanted for four offences when

he opened fire just before midnight

on Tuesday.

Prahran Senior Constable David

McHenry, 27, was shot in a leg with a

.22 pistol, apparently while reloading

his gun during Tuesday's shootout .

Senior Constable McHenry was

called as backup after two rookie

police came across Ograzden and

two other men during a routine

traffic inspection. Ograzden was

found in possession of drugs and

firearms.

Along with the pistol, a sawn-off

shotgun was also found nearby.

Senior Constable McHenry was

yesterday in a stable condition and

was expected to make a full recovery.

The two probationary constables,

one male on his first night shift and

one female, are also understood to

have fired at the gunman, and are

receiving counselling.

The Victorian Police Association

said it was lucky Senior Constable

McHenry was not killed while reloading

his .38 calibre Smith and Wesson,

and has again called for the state to

follow the rest of Australia and adopt

semi-automatic pistols.

Acting Assistant Commissioner

Lucinda Nolan would not be drawn

on the issue of police firearms,

instead highlighting the bravery of

the members involved.

''You've got to look at the circumstances

they're placed in, it's horrific

for anybody,'' Ms Nolan said.

''I think they acted with exceptional

bravery, and I'm really proud

of them.

''It was a horrific incident as you

can imagine for anybody, she [one of

the rookies] is obviously suffering

from shock, as are our other

members involved.''

She said the gunman fired on two

distinct occasions, firing one shot

and then fleeing, before engaging in

the shootout.

The shots were exchanged from a

distance of 15-20m, she said.

Police Association assistant secretary

Bruce McKenzie said Victoria

was the last state or territory to rely

on the ''antiquated'' Smith and Wessons

that were ''just like John Wayne

used in the Westerns''.

He said Chief Commissioner

Christine Nixon had been reluctant

to update the technology despite the

Victorian Government putting aside

$10million as a pre-election commitment

for semi-automatic pistols

used in other states.

''It's not her that's out in the

middle of the night trying to deal

with violent criminals,'' Inspector

McKenzie said.

''In the event that modern firepower

is required, it's a life and death

situation, as was the case last night.''

Victorian Premier John Brumby

said it appeared the police involved

had acted appropriately.

''I'm pleased to say that the police

officer who was injured was operated

on in hospital and his condition is

stable, I understand he will make a

full recovery so I'm delighted that's

the case,'' he said.

''The suspects and the individual

who was shot were well-known to

police, I understand, and of course

there will be a coronial inquiry and

there will be an inquiry with the

police ethical standards division, so

all of these matters will be looked at.

''The individuals concerned were

carrying a number of firearms, and

the police have done their job.''

The other two men involved, aged

20 and 21, were questioned by police

and released without charge yesterday.

They are expected to face court

on summons at a later date.

Victoria was notorious for fatal

police shootings late last century,

with police killing 23 people from

1988 to 1995 and Amnesty International

issued a damning report

against Victoria Police. The worst

year was 1994, when nine people

were killed, sparking an overhaul of

firearms training.