Deputy Sheriff and Married Father-Of-Three Was Shot Dead in the Line of Duty

The married sheriff's deputy with three children, Ryan Thompson, has been gunned down and killed by a suspect in Washington state.

Thompson, 42, was killed recently in Kittitas County in central Washington after a vehicle pursuit ended in an exchange of gunfire with the suspect, who also died.

In less than three minutes, the suspect leaped out of the car and opened fire at Thompson and Chavez.

"Our hearts go out to the family, friends, and colleagues of the @KCSheriffOffice deputy killed in the line of duty earlier tonight, as well as the Kittitas PD officer wounded during the same incident. We stand in solidarity with you during this difficult time," Seattle Police Department wrote on Twitter.

According to Ellensburg Police Chief Ken Wade, Thompson and Benito Chavez, 22, were responding to reports of a street rage occurrence near Badger Pocket when they tried to pull over a vehicle at 7.42pm.

The police started a pursuit which led into the town of Kittitas when the car fled. The pursuit ended when the suspect reached the dead end of Pierce Street in Kittitas.

In less than three minutes, the suspect leaped out of the car and opened fire at Thompson and Chavez.

Thompson was fatally wounded and was pronounced dead at Kittitas Valley Hospital. He is survived by his wife and children.

The suspect was also killed in the exchange of gunfire. Meanwhile, the injured police officer, Chavez, is currently recovering at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

Kittitas Sheriff Ryan Dana said: "Last night was the worst incident in my 45 plus years in law enforcement, and something that a sheriff or police chief wishes would never ever happen during their watch."

Thompson was born and raised in Walla Walla. He graduated from Central Washington University. In 2004, he started his career as a reserve deputy with Kittitas County.

He had served as a corrections officer before becoming a police officer with Central Washington University Police Department in 2007.

In December 2013, Thompson, who was described as "a great officer and family man," came back to the Kittitas Sheriff’s Office in December 2013.

A GoFundMe page has been created to help Thompson's family in their time of need.