ST. FRANCISVILLE, La. — A 47-year-old Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries officer was shot and killed while investigating a night hunting complaint.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agent was found dead this morning, Sept. 30, in West Feliciana Parish.

The body of Sgt. Paul Stuckey, age 47, of Zachary, was found by local fishermen at the old ferry landing near the banks of the Mississippi River just outside of St. Francisville at daybreak. This is in the general area of the old ferry landing.

Sergeant Paul Stuckey's last known communication with his department was at 2:15 a.m. identifying that he was responding to the call, WDSU reported.

West Feliciana Sheriff's Office (WFSO) deputies were the first on the scene and found Sgt. Stuckey with a shotgun wound to his chest next to his patrol vehicle. The WFSO notified LDWF at 7 a.m.

Adam Einck, a department spokesman, says investigators are treating his death as a homicide. He says it's common for wildlife agents to work alone.

"Our hearts go out to the Sgt. Stuckey family and his extended family of fellow agents will be there to help them through this tough time," said Col. Winton Vidrine, head of the LDWF Enforcement Division.

According to LDWF dispatch, Sgt. Stuckey's last known communication with the department was at 2:15 a.m. identifying that he was responding to a night hunting complaint.

Stuckey was an 18-year department veteran and had a wife and three children.

The exact cause of his death is currently under investigation. His body was turned over to the West Feliciana Coroners Office.