A home invasion in Whitehall has resulted in the stabbing of a female victim, a police pursuit, the stabbing of a Catasauqua police officer and the death of the suspect.

According to a report released by the Pennsylvania State Police Bethlehem Barracks, the incident took place beginning shortly after 3 a.m. Monday when police received a "911" call.

Whitehall police responded to the call, reported to be a stabbing at 2112 Main St., West Catasauqua, in Whitehall Township.

Before Whitehall police arrived at the scene, they received information that the suspect had fled.

Catasauqua Police officers picked up the pursuit, following a black Ford Explorer through the borough and were joined in the chase of the suspect into Allentown by Pennsylvania State Police.

State police say the suspect, later identified as Jerome D. Nichols, 42, of Catasauqua, lost control of his vehicle in the 1300 block of North Plymouth St., Allentown. The Explorer came to rest, disabled, in a snow bank near Harry's U-Pull-It Salvage.

The four officers then pursued Nichols on foot. During the pursuit, state police say a Catasauqua officer attempted unsuccessfully to stop the suspect with a Taser, and one of the officers was then attacked by Nichols with a knife.

Police describe the weapon as a large, fixed-blade knife. The officer was stabbed several times.

The other Catasauqua police officer and one of the state police officers then fired their weapons at Nichols multiple times.

He died of one or more gunshot wounds at the scene.

State police say he resided at 526 Race St., Catasauqua.

The injured Catasauqua officer was treated for multiple stab wounds at St. Luke's Hospital in Fountain Hill, where he underwent surgery.

"We really don't have anything to add to the official information release," Catasauqua Police Chief Douglas Kish told The Press Tuesday.

Neither the officer's family nor the police wish to reveal the name of the injured officer for his own safety.

"We ask that you keep him in your prayers," Kish said.

Kish has visited the officer and indicated that he is recovering from his wounds.

Various programs, including workers' compensation, are available to help the officer and his family cover immediate expenses while he recovers.

"We are not doing anything special, but we appreciate the community's outpouring of concern," Kish said.

The female stabbing victim was treated surgically at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township.

The deputy commissioner of administration and professional responsibility for state police will conduct an investigation of the incent, as is customary in police-involved shootings.

The investigation is being conducted by state police with the assistance of the Lehigh County Coroner's Office, Lehigh County Homicide Task Force and Lehigh County District Attorney's Office.