A Dallas Police officer was killed Thursday morning in a one-vehicle wreck on Dallas Bessemer City Highway.

The officer, identified as Cpl. Travis Wells of Kings Mountain, had been on the force for 22 years, according to Dallas Police Chief Allen Scott.

"We appreciate all of the love, support and prayers during this difficult time for the Dallas Police Department and the town of Dallas as a whole," Scott said, as he addressed the media at the Dallas Police Department about four hours after the wreck.

Wells, 47, is survived by his spouse. He did not have any children.

The chief said fellow officers were "just trying to work through the day." The Dallas Police Department employs 13 officers, Scott said.

The wreck occurred as Wells was driving a marked Dallas Police cruiser — a 2007 Ford Crown Victoria — home at 9:59 a.m. on the 300 block of the highway, near Dallas Park. The wreck is being investigated by the N.C. Highway Patrol.

State troopers say Wells was the only person involved in the wreck and was pronounced deceased at the scene due to injuries sustained. The wreck was not a rollover.

The cause of the wreck has not been released.

Trooper Ray Pierce says a report from the medical examiner will be needed to make any final conclusion, but that he suspects the wreck may have been caused by a medical issue.

"Early on it would seem that way but until the medical examiner does the investigation as far as Officer Wells himself, we're not medical experts," Pierce said. "But it would lead you to believe as such."

There were no signs of braking or maneuvering of the steering wheel, Pierce said. Wells was at the police department a short time before the wreck and everything seemed normal, he said.

"The vehicle left the roadway on the left shoulder," Pierce said. "It does make you believe it was possibly some kind of medical condition."

Pierce said the vehicle will be inspected "just to make sure there was nothing mechanically wrong with the vehicle."

A procession of law enforcement cruisers, ambulances and fire engines stopped at the Dallas Police Department before Scott and Pierce addressed the media. Gastonia Police, and the Gaston County Police and Sheriff's Office assisted with police calls to service in the Dallas area as the local department mourned.

Pierce offered condolences to Wells' family, friends and the Dallas Police Department, which lowered its American flag to half-staff.

"Anytime it’s an officer involved it’s definitely hard. You're dealing with someone that you possibly see or know on a daily basis," Pierce said. "Officer Wells was here for 22 years, so he obviously made a lot of impact on his community and had a lot of family and friends here. So it will definitely be a rough week and a rough time ahead as everyone gets to heal."

You can reach Eric Wildstein at 704-869-1828 or Twitter.com/TheGazetteEric. Reporter Adam Lawson contributed to this story.