Crossword Genius

Officer damages murderous computer (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

marshal

'officer' is the definition.
(I know that marshal is a type of police officer)

'damages murderous computer' is the wordplay.
'damages' becomes 'mars' (marring is a kind of damaging).
'murderous computer' becomes 'HAL' (HAL 9000 from 2001 A Space Odyssey).
'mars'+'hal'='MARSHAL'

(Other definitions for marshal that I've seen before include "Arrange; senior officer" , "US federal officer" , "Maybe a bulldog" , "Mobilise -- US law-enforcement officer" , "Sports event official" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.
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