The Wadley, Ga., police chief defended the action of his officers Saturday, a day after one of them -- who is also a Richmond County school policeman -- fatally wounded a man who came at him with a knife.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is looking into the death of Jerry Conner, who was shot by Cpl. Patrick Paquette, a part-time officer in Wadley and a Richmond County Board of Education officer.

"Cpl. Paquette had to make a decision at some point during the incident to use deadly force to protect himself and fellow officers from bodily harm or death," Chief Wesley Lewis said in a statement. He said his department is saddened by the incident.

"My prayers and condolences are with the family in their loss of a loved one," he said.

According to Chief Lewis, officers were sent to a house at North Main and Smith streets about 4:30 p.m. Friday in response to a domestic dispute report.

When they arrived, Mr. Conner, whose age and address are unknown, approached two officers with a knife and began arguing with them, according to Chief Lewis. Cpl. Paquette was among three officers called in for backup.

Chief Lewis said the officers told Mr. Conner to drop his weapon. He refused and began to approach Cpl. Paquette and the other backup officers with the knife. Cpl. Paquette then shot Mr. Conner, who was taken to Jefferson County Hospital, where he died from his injuries.

The GBI will investigate and the results will be turned over to the District Attorney's Office. Cpl. Paquette was placed on administrative leave, the chief said

Cpl. Paquette's job status in Richmond County is unclear. Phone calls Friday and Saturday to Superintendent Dana Bedden and Public Safety Director Julia Porter-Stein were not returned.

Cpl. Paquette, an officer at Tubman Middle School, was praised by Principal Wayne Frazier, who said Saturday his connection to the students and the community is unmatched.

"He has a good feel for the community," Dr. Frazier said. "When students misbehave, unless it's an emergency situation, he goes straight into counselor mode. He's very proactive."

Phone calls to a cell phone number for Cpl. Paquette were not returned Saturday night.