GEORGE COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV) – Officials with the Mississippi Department of Public Safety (DPS) released the cause of death of the man accused killing a George County deputy.

Bailey Martin, press secretary for the department, said Rickey Powell, 43, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Investigators said Deputy Jeremy Malone stopped Powell at the Dollar General on Highway 98 in Lucedale on January 4.

Powell shot and killed Malone before leading law enforcement on a pursuit to Perry County, where he died. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI) is investigating the case.

Malone was laid to rest on January 12. He is survived by his wife, Hilary, and three daughters, Abbie (18), Alivia (11), and Brooklyn (8).