Harford County Sheriff's Deputies said they shot and wounded an off-duty Baltimore County Police officer they say was suicidal, and who had shot at them, Thursday afternoon outside a home in the Bright Oaks community off Route 924 south of Bel Air.

The man who was shot, identified as James L. Ward, 42, was flown to the Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore with injuries that are serious but not considered life-threatening, according to Cristie Kahler, spokesperson for the Harford County Sheriff's Office.

The Baltimore County Police Department said James L. Ward is an officer first class and a 19-year veteran of the department assigned to the White Marsh precinct.

Baltimore County Police Chief Jim Johnson said Ward will be suspended without pay as soon as felony charges are filed by Harford County, the department said in a statement on its website.

"I am shocked and saddened at the actions of one of our officers this afternoon," Johnson said. "I am thankful that none of the first responders and police personnel who handled this call were physically injured. We hope that the Baltimore County officer involved in this incident receives the medical help he apparently needs so desperately."