Laurens County sheriff’s deputy shot and killed

CLINTON, S.C. (AP) — A Laurens County deputy has been shot and killed as officers went to a home during a murder investigation.

Sheriff Ricky Chastain said Deputy Roger Rice was shot and killed about 11:30 p.m. Wednesday in Clinton.

Chastain says a man in the home shot Rice and a person in the home.

Rice was taken to Laurens County Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Chastain says deputies returned fire and the suspect was wounded. Bennie Ray Brown Jr. was taken to Greenville Memorial Hospital where he was being treated for injuries that were not considered to be life-threatening.

Chastain says the other person in the house who was hit is expected to recover.

The sheriff says Rice was in his late 20s and had been with the department since January 2010.