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 fired a shotgun at Blake and Wilson before using a handgun to take his own life. While Blake and Paulk were dead when deputies arrived, Wilson was transported to Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center and is expected to make a full recovery.
Paulk’s vehicle was recovered a short distance from the scene. He and Wilson had previously been in a relationship, according to authorities.
Blake had been a law enforcement officer for 16 years, including time with the Pike County Sheriff’s Office and Wesson Police Department.
