TAMPA, Fla. — A Tampa police officer was killed and another seriously wounded in a shooting early today during a traffic stop that has prompted a massive manhunt for two suspects.

Officer David Curtis pulled over a red Toyota Camry about 2:15 a.m. because it didn't have a visible tag. He called for backup after a background check revealed the male passenger in the car was wanted on a misdemeanor charge for writing a worthless check, Tampa Police spokeswoman Laura McElroy said.

Six minutes after the traffic stop, a witness called to say Curtis and Officer Jeffrey Kocab had been shot. Authorities arrived to find them lying on the ground.

Kocab, 31, died. Curtis, also 31, was on life support today, police said.

Helicopters, police dogs and dozens of officers searched for the passenger, who is believed to be the shooter. A female who was driving the car was also being sought, McElroy said.

Kocab was a 14-month veteran with the force. His wife is nine months pregnant, police said.

Curtis, a father of four boys, has nearly four years with the department, police said.