Jody Cash, 44, of Calloway County, was fatally shot outside the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office on May 16.

When the gunman pulled out a hidden weapon and opened fire on a Kentucky county sheriff’s deputy who had permitted a suspect to take a smoke break during an interrogation, the deputy was fatally shot.

Gary Rowland, 30, gunned murdered veteran Kentucky State police officer and Calloway County Chief Deputy Jody Cash, 44, on May 16 outside the Marshall County Sheriff’s headquarters after the two stepped outside.

‘While smoking, Mr. Rowland produced a handgun, which had been concealed on his person, firing it in the direction of and striking [Calloway County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Jody Cash],’ the Kentucky State Police said on Friday

According to WTVQ news, Marshall County Sheriff’s Deputy Donald Bowman opened fire, wounding Rowland, who died a short time later at a nearby hospital.

According to the news channel, both officers are members of a US Drug Enforcement Administration task force.

Rowland, of Murray, Kentucky, had been jailed on outstanding warrants and was being questioned by Deputy Donald Bowman and Cash in connection with an unrelated investigation, according to the Lexington Herald-Leader.

The officer was slain approximately an hour after Rowland was arrested on drug and weapons charges in Benton, KY, according to the TV station.

Little, a four-year veteran of the force, and Bowman, a 27-year veteran of the force, have both been placed on administrative leave.

‘This deputy has paid the ultimate sacrifice today while serving our commonwealth,’ Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said after he was killed. ‘Let us honor the life, bravery and service of this deputy.’