Authorities have said that a Chandler, Ariz., police officer was shot and killed and two officers were wounded during an undercover drug operation.

The Arizona Republic has reported that the shooting occurred on Wednesday evening in south Phoenix, during an operation involving what police characterized as a large quantity of marijuana.

The newspaper also said that all three officers who were shot when gunfire broke out at a residence in south Phoenix were taken to St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix, where one was pronounced dead. Police identified him Thursday as Carlos Ledesma, 32, a father of two.

Two suspects were dead and two suspects were hospitalized for gunshot wounds, Police have said. In all, six suspects were taken into custody.

According to authorities, the two officers who were wounded, both of Chandler, were expected to survive. Their names, and the names of the suspects killed and wounded, were not released.

Ledesma "gave his life last night for this community," Chandler Police Chief Sherry Kiyler said on Thursday.

About a dozen officers were involved in the operation, including members of the Chandler SWAT team, said Phoenix police Sgt. Steve Martos. No Phoenix police officers were involved in the operation, said Martos.

The newspaper further reported that Police said they were looking into the possibility that suspected drug dealers intended to rob the undercover officers. (With Inputs from Agencies)