Quebec Provincial Police Chief Inspector Patrice Cardinal says the officer who was killed last night in the line of duty was in her early 40s and had two children.

He says her partner is also a provincial police officer.

Cardinal says Sergeant Maureen Breau had more than 20 years of experience, mostly spent on patrol, or supervising patrol teams.

Breau was killed and a male suspect was shot dead by police during an arrest attempt at a home in the province's Mauricie region, about 100 kilometres northeast of Montreal.

The province's police watchdog say Breau was stabbed while the 35-year-old suspect was being read his rights.

He was being arrested for uttering threats.

Another officer was wounded in the altercation but is expected to recover.

Both Quebec's police watchdog and Montreal police have set up mobile command posts set up.

Johanne Beausoleil, the provincial police chief, has offered her condolences to Breau's husband, children, other family members and colleagues.

She says in a news release that an ordeal like this reminds us of the danger police officers face in extreme situations.

Cardinal is thanking the public and other police forces for the hundreds of messages of support that have poured in from across the

country.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responded on Twitter to the death, which he described as ``heartbreaking.''

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre also expressed condolences to the family and to police, suggesting such violent events were happening more frequently.