A George County deputy was killed in the line of duty Thursday night after he stopped a suspect who shot him.

A release from the George County Sheriff’s Department says Deputy Jeremy Malone was conducting a traffic stop near the intersection of Highway 98 and Brushy Creek Road.

The suspect fled to Perry County where he was fatally shot by law enforcement after a vehicluar pursuit.

This is the first major critical incident for both George County Sheriff Mitchell Mixon and Perry County Sheriff Jacob Lamar Garner, who were sworn in just two days ago.

“We ask that you keep Deputy Malone’s family, as well as the George County Sheriff’s Office and community in your thoughts and prayers,” Sheriff Malone wrote in a statement.

The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation will be lead on the case, as is routine with line of duty shootings.