JACKSON (AP) — A Tennessee Bureau of Investigation special agent was shot to death Tuesday during an undercover drug investigation in West Tennessee, the agency said.

Special Agent De'Greaun Frazier, 35, was working with other agents and narcotics officers on a drug investigation when he met a person for a controlled buy in a car in Jackson, TBI spokesman Josh DeVine said in a news release.

The person that Frazier met Tuesday afternoon pulled out a firearm in an apparent robbery attempt and fired at least once, hitting the agent, TBI Director Mark Gwyn said.

Frazier died later at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital.

He was the first agent in TBI history to die in the line of duty.

"This has been one of the toughest days in our agency's history," DeVine said at a news conference.

Gwyn said the operation was being heavily monitored.

"Agent Frazier was exactly what we look for in a TBI agent," Gwyn said. "He was hard-working, enthusiastic and dedicated to making Tennessee a better place to live."

The suspect was apprehended a short distance away and was in custody with charges pending Tuesday night. His name was not immediately released.

Frazier was married and had been with TBI since February after working as an officer with the Millington Police Department.

"Hearts are heavy tonight for loss of (TBI) Agent De'Greaun Frazier who died serving, protecting TN," Gov. Bill Haslam said via Twitter. "Prayers to his family, TBI."