VIDEO: CO Deputy Killed in Ambush Shooting Excited About Job, Family

Deputy Zackari Parrish was killed when a suspect opened fire on deputies at an apartment complex during a noise-related call early Sunday morning, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office said.

The sheriff's office said the suspect knew law enforcement was coming and began firing when they arrived, reports KDVR.

Parrish is survived by his wife and two young daughters.

"Zackari was a good kid. A smiley kid. He loved to serve," Douglas County Sheriff Tony Spurlock said. "His wife told me today that he loved this job more than he had loved any job he ever had."

Parrish's friend agreed. "He was just joyous and vibrant about the work he was doing," said Lacey Knight. "He was tremendously excited and in love with his wife and those two girls. They were his whole life," reports the Denver Post.

About 5:15 a.m., deputies responded to the Copper Canyon Apartments complex in Highlands Ranch. A gunman opened fire, hitting and killing Parrish.

Three other Douglas County Sheriff's Office deputies and a Castle Rock (CO) Police Department officer were wounded in the shootout, Sheriff Tony Spurlock said. Two residents also were wounded, and the shooter was killed, reports the Denver Post.

The deputies who were injured crawled to safety, but could not pull Parrish out of the way, reports KDVR. Parrish was hit multiple times, the sheriff's office said.

Parrish had been with the Douglas Sheriff's Office for seven months. He previously was with the Castle Rock Police Department.