An apparent murder-suicide resulted in a Mississippi police officer losing his life Tuesday afternoon.

Pike County Sheriff Wally Jones confirmed Wednesday morning that a McComb Police officer, Jason Blake, was pronounced deceased when emergency personnel responded to a home on Cole Thomas Road in McComb.

“Please accept our deepest condolences for the loss of Sergeant Jason Blake. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Sergeant Blake will be dearly missed by all,” Jones wrote in an open letter to Blake’s family.

A preliminary investigation, according to WLBT-TV, found that Clay Paulk forcibly entered a home Blake and a woman by the name of Nicki Wilson were in. Blake, who was off duty at the time, had reportedly responded to the home after receiving a call for help.

Paulk is said to have

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