Baltimore County police officer Jason Schneider, 36, was shot and killed this past Wednesday while carrying out a search warrant in Catonsville, The Baltimore Sun reported. The search warrant was in connection with a series of shootings that had occurred in the Baltimore neighborhood over the past week.

"Officer Schneider was killed in the line of duty, and we deeply mourn his loss," County Executive Kevin Kamenetz told The Baltimore Sun. "I can only tell you that we don't always appreciate what our police do for us every day, but it's times like this when we know how grateful we are for their bravery and their sacrifice.”

Schneider, who Police Chief James W. Johnson said usually leads the department’s tactical unit on missions like this, turned the corner while searching the house and came under fire. After having been struck by multiple gun shots, the 13-year veteran returned fire, hitting suspected shooter Tevon Smith, 25, before collapsing.

A preliminary investigation revealed Schneider’s vest stopped several rounds; however, one fatal shot managed to reach his back. Schneider and Smith were taken to Maryland Shock Trauma Center where both would eventually succumb to their injuries.

“This is particularly hard,” Johnson explained to reporters while holding back tears. ”He was a great guy. Can you imagine what he did in 10 years of tactical?”

Schneider, a former marine and son of a retired Baltimore police officer, is survived by his wife and two kids. Gov. Martin O’Malley ordered the Maryland flag to be flown at half-staff in remembrance of the service that Schneider provided to the city of Baltimore.