SUMITON — Two days after being fired in the midst of an investigation into his conduct, former Sumiton police officer Christopher Kale Daugherty, 24, was found dead Friday outside his residence.

Walker County Coroner J.C. Poe confirmed that Daugherty was killed by a gunshot wound to the head. His body was sent to the Department of Forensic Science in Huntsville for autopsy. Poe could not confirm reports that the gunshot wound was self-inflicted, although unnamed sources confirmed the death was being investigated as a suicide.

Sumiton Police Chief T.J. Burnett said he received information Monday about an officer’s improper conduct with female inmates. He then called the Alabama Bureau of Investigations in to conduct a full investigation.

Burnett also confirmed Daugherty was placed on leave Tuesday and terminated as a city employee on Wednesday.

Although the ABI declined to comment on the ongoing investigation, officials from that department have been seen in Sumiton this week conducting interviews and collecting evidence.

“It is such a tragedy from beginning to end,” Sumiton Mayor Petey Ellis said. “I just can’t put it into words.”

Investigators from the ABI and the Walker County District Attorney’s Office, along with Sumiton police, will continue their investigation.