Image caption Police chief Michael Maloney had been due to retire in less than two weeks

A US police chief just days from retirement has been killed and four officers injured during a drugs raid on a house in a small New Hampshire town.

Michael Maloney, 48, died in the shootout in Greenland, with two wounded officers now stable in hospital.

Police said the gunman and a woman were later found dead inside the house.

The pair died of gunshot wounds in either a murder-suicide or double suicide, according to the state attorney general, Michael Delaney.

Residents devastated

Two officers are in intensive care with bullet wounds to the chest, while two others were discharged after being treated for gunshot injuries to the shoulder and arm.

Image caption Cullent Mutrie was reportedly charged last year with possession of steroids

The tragedy has devastated residents in the small coastal town of about 3,500 people, served by only about 10 police officers.

John Penacho said the death of Mr Maloney - who had served for 12 years as Greenland's police chief - was "a blow to all of us".

"We're stunned. I mean all of us," he said.

Another resident, Jacqueline DeFreze, said she had been planning to attend a surprise party for Mr Maloney's imminent retirement.

"I'm a wreck. He was just the greatest guy," she said. "He's kind-hearted, always visible in the community."

Police later identified the gunman as Cullen Mutrie. Officers said they had been trying to serve a search warrant on him when he opened fire.

After an overnight stand-off, a robot sent into the house detected Mutrie's body and that of his unidentified female companion.

Last year, Mutrie was reportedly charged with possession of anabolic steroids.