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A Wayne State police officer has been shot off-campus in the Woodbridge area of Detroit Tuesday evening.

The officer was shot in the head, according to Detroit Police. The canine officer is in critical condition and has been hospitalized. He was in surgery at Detroit Receiving Hospital as of 8:25 p.m.

The incident happened in the area of Lincoln and Brainard streets, near Grand River at about 6:30 p.m., just west of the Lodge freeway, according to a spokesperson with Wayne State University police.

Police are searching for a 5-feet, 11-inch black male in his 40s with a slight build beard wearing a white T-shirt with white and black lettering, a skull cap and a brown jacket. A perimeter in the area has been set up with police looking for the suspect. Canine units and a helicopter are searching the area for what is described as a massive manhunt. He may be homeless.

"We have an American hero right now suffering from a gunshot wound we are asking for prayers," Chief James Craig said.

Wayne State Police Chief Anthony Holt said that the officer is in his late 20s and is a five-year veteran of the department. It is the first time in history a police officer at the school has been shot. The suspect was on foot but it is not clear why the man was stopped by the officer.

"Most of the details we don't have right now," said Holt, adding the officer was by himself at the time in a single patrol. "He stopped and investigated the subject, backup was en route and found the officer shot.

"He is a tremendous officer, very young, very pro-active. He is ingrained with the community, he reaches out to slain officer families all over the country. He is a very caring officer."

Police are not naming the officer yet and have the officer's weapon. It is unclear if the gun was used to shoot the officer or if the suspect had his own gun. The same WSU officer who responded to the scene as backup, is the person who transported the officer to Detroit Receiving Hospital.

Detroit Police Chief James Craig said that the suspect was riding a blue BMX bike with a chain wrapped abound the seat post.

"It is a unique bike and we are asking for the public's help," Craig said.

Anyone with information should call Detroit police at (313) 596-5200 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.