( CNN ) -- A Florida corrections officer assisting in a manhunt died Wednesday in an exchange of gunfire with a murder suspect , who also died , authorities said . Col. Greg Malloy , 44 , was mortally wounded , the Florida Department of Corrections said in a statement . Malloy was working as part of the Holmes Correctional Institution 's K-9 tracking team , which was assisting the Holmes County Sheriff 's Office in the search for Wade Williams . Williams , wanted in the double homicide of his parents , was also killed during the exchange , according to the statement . The incident occurred about 13 miles from Bonifay in the Florida Panhandle . `` Words can never express our emotions when an officer falls in the line of duty , '' said Department of Corrections Secretary Walt McNeil . `` Tragedies such as today 's underscore the dangers inherent in our profession , both inside and outside the prison walls . We extend our condolences to Greg 's family and his co-workers . '' Malloy began his career with the Department of Corrections in 1988 . The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is conducting the shooting investigation . The Holmes County sheriff had not yet responded to a message left by CNN Wednesday afternoon .
Police were called during manhunt in Panhandle . Col . Greg Malloy and homicide suspect James Smith died . Malloy was working with prison 's K-9 tracking team .