AMBRIDGE — Police were using dogs to search for a man who shot a police officer in his protective vest and may himself have been wounded when the officer returned fire.

Officials in Harmony Township, Beaver County, didn’t immediately release the name of the suspect or the officer who exchanged gunfire about 3:45 a.m. Wednesday.

Police said the officer approached the man because he seemed to be suspicious — though police haven’t elaborated on that. That’s when the man fired, hitting the officer in the chest. The officer was taken to a hospital as a precaution, but wasn’t wounded.

Police were searching parked cars, wooded areas and other places they believe the suspect may be hiding. The officer said he fired several shots at the suspect, who may be wounded.