The armed robbery suspect shot and killed by a Madison police officer Wednesday on the South Side had a handgun on him at the time of the shooting, police spokesman Joel DeSpain said.

Dane County Coroner Ray Wosepka said the name of the suspect would not be released until Thursday at the request of police. Releasing it earlier might hinder their investigation, police said.

Police believe the man robbed Cousins Subs, 1124 S. Park St., moments before he was shot by Officer David Retlick in a residential neighborhood about four blocks away, near Lakeside and Whittier streets, just before 5 p.m.

"A handgun was recovered at the scene from the suspect," DeSpain said.

Police Chief Noble Wray said Wednesday that "a weapon was produced and the officer was forced to use deadly force."

The Police Department's investigation continues to indicate the use of deadly force was justified, DeSpain said.

He said the man who was killed has a criminal history and is being looked at in connection with other recent armed robberies, including one Tuesday at the Greenbush Bakery, 1305 Regent St.

Wray called Retlick "a brave officer," saying the incident "reinforces how difficult and how dangerous this job is."

Retlick, 33, joined the force in May 2007 with five years of previous law enforcement experience, DeSpain said.

He was an officer in the town of Madison, said Sgt. Michael Gehn, who said Retlick is "an excellent police officer," adding, "We hated to see him leave and go to the city."

Retlick has been placed on paid leave while the Dane County District Attorney's Office investigates the shooting.

The Police Department also will conduct a review, which is standard when an officer is involved in a shooting, Wray said.

Police said Retlick was responding to the armed robbery at Cousins - in which a man displayed a gun tucked in his waistband, demanded money and fled - when he saw a man fitting the robber's description in the 1000 block of Whittier Street. Retlick tried to stop him and a struggle ensued.

Bill Hoppe, 68, who lives about a block from the shooting scene, said he saw an officer yelling commands at a man on the sidewalk. Hoppe said the officer tried to grab him from behind and after a struggle, the man broke free and turned to face the officer, who shot him three or four times. Hoppe said it appeared the man had something in his right hand when he was shot by the officer, who was 4 or 5 feet away.

Residents along nearby Olin Avenue said Thursday that they mostly feel safe.

"It's a pretty safe neighborhood," said Stephen Ellestad, who has lived on Olin Avenue for more than three years.

Wray said Retlick, who received minor injuries, "is doing as well as can be expected under the circumstances."

Counselors are working with Retlick and other responders who were at the scene, DeSpain said, adding, "These are awful situations for all involved."

- Staff reporters Gena Kittner and Chris Rickert contributed to this report.