A manhunt is underway for the suspect in what is believe to be the first killing of a law enforcement officer in Maine in nearly 30 years.

The fatal shooting of Somerset County Cpl. Eugene Cole on Wednesday in Norridgewock triggered an intensive search for 29-year-old John Williams in and around the heavily wooded rural community about 60 miles west of Bangor.

Officials said the Madison man was scheduled to appear in court to face gun charges when he killed the sheriff's deputy, stole his cruiser and robbed a convenience store.

'I am asking John Williams personally: If you are listening to my words today, I implore you to turn yourself in,' Somerset County Sheriff Dale Lancaster said on Wednesday.

The search continues for 29-year-old John Williams (left), who is suspected for shooting dead Maine cop Eugene Cole, 61 (right), in the early hours of Wednesday morning

Cops are seen in Norridgewock, Maine early Thursday morning, as the search for Williams continues

'Many times we're able to say that there is not an ongoing threat, but that's not the case today,' State Police Lt. Col. John Cote said. 'He's considered armed and dangerous.'

On Thursday, about 200 law enforcement officers were still in the area, searching for the suspect and protecting citizens. A nationwide alert has been issued and the FBI is also aiding in the hunt.

Cops have set up checkpoints to inspect every car coming and going from the town.

Schools are open, but many are in 'lock in' mode.

The last time someone killed an officer in the line of duty was in 1989, according to the Maine Department of Public Safety.

A Maine State Police Trooper points his rifle at Williams' home on Wednesday afternoon

Police in Maine are still hunting the suspect. He abandoned the cruiser and it is not known how he is now getting around

Maine State trooper William Plourde checks a vehicle at the town line of Oakland and Fairfield on Wednesday in the search for Williams

Officers work the scene of the shooting in Norridgewock, Maine on Wednesday

Police officers stand along U.S. Route 2 on Wednesday, April 25, 2018, in Norridgewock, Maine

Law enforcement officials said that Williams, who was born in Texas, had arrest records in Maine, Tennessee and Massachusetts.

On the day he killed Cole, he was scheduled to appear in a Massachusetts court for a probable cause hearing on an illegal firearms charge related to an arrest last month. If convicted, he could have been sent to prison for more than 10 years.

That image contrasts with Williams' days at Skowhegan High School, where a yearbook showed he once served as a class officer. 'When in school he was a nice, funny and an all-around good guy,' said classmate Casey Sprout-Costa.

Another classmate, Alex Stetkis, said Williams was an honor student who was class president in his junior year. But things went downhill when he started picking fights and getting into drugs.

'Most could not believe it,' Stetkis said of the news that Williams was suspected in the killing.

'He was always kind and could have gone anywhere in life if he hadn't gotten into drugs,' he said.

Dashcam footage from Cole's patrol car minutes before he was shot shows Williams entering a Cumberland Farms store and emerging about a minute later at 1:41am. Cole was shot at 1:45am

This is the Cumberland Farm's store which Williams robbed after allegedly shooting the cop. It is pictured on Wednesday after he left

Williams' criminal record also includes a conviction for burglary when he was a minor. He spent 17 days in a correctional facility, was ordered to a year of probation and to pay a $500 fine. While juvenile records are usually kept private, convictions for crimes that would get a sentence of more than five years in the adult system are public in the state.

Williams' Facebook page features photos of him smiling at a graduation ceremony as well as other photos of him hiking, hanging out with friends and dressed in a suit at a wedding party. His last post in 2017 noted how he was starting a new job in nearby Anson, Maine.

Residents in Norridgewock, a town of about 3,500, were stunned Wednesday as state police and federal agents investigated a home believed to be where Williams lived with his girlfriend.

'We're a little on edge. It's unnerving knowing there's a guy running around out there,' said Tasha Raymond.

Cops broke down the door to the home with a battering ram, but Williams was not inside.

Gov. Paul LePage expressed his 'deepest condolences' to Cole's family in a tweet. 'If you live in Somerset County and the surrounding area, please cooperate with law enforcement and stay safe,' the Republican governor said. LePage also directed all U.S and state flags to be flown at half-staff for at least three days.

Cole has a son who also is a Somerset County deputy. Sheriff Dale Lancaster called Cole, a 13-year veteran of the department, an 'outstanding employee, one of the finest deputies.'

Williams is described 5-foot-6, 120 pounds with blue eyes and brown hair. Previous reports that he has a partially shaved head with a ponytail were wrong, cops added.

John Williams is pictured on the left in an undated identification photo. Eugene Cole is pictured on the right in a 2007 photo

Somerset County Sheriff Dale Lancaster, center, speaks with the media on Wednesday