ABBEVILLE - Two officers were killed Monday in a standoff that was started by a family that had a problem with the state and federal government and ended in "a horrendous gunfight," State Law Enforcement Division Chief Robert Stewart said.

The attack apparently was a planned assault involving at least three family members, Stewart said. Neighbors said family members who lived in the house had been upset because the state planned to take some of their land to widen the highway.

The incident began about 9 a.m. when magistrate's Officer Donnie M. Ouzts, 63, came to the home of Arthur Bixby. After other officers hadn't heard from Ouzts in several minutes, two more officers came to the home and found Ouzts dead. Sheriff's Deputy Danny Wilson, one of the two officers who responded, was later found dead. The second escaped uninjured.

About 11 hours later, Bixby's son, 36-year-old Steven Bixby, surrendered. The standoff ended two hours after that with Arthur Bixby shot at least once, Stewart said.

Arthur Bixby's condition was unavailable Tuesday.

Officers found anti-American literature, suicide notes and other items inside the house. None of the family members tried to negotiate with officers.

As officers tried to storm the home, Stewart said they were fired on with the most powerful weapons he had ever seen in his more than 30 years in law enforcement.

"I've never seen so much force," Stewart said.

It appeared Ouzts was shot by a rifle at some distance, state Public Safety spokesman Sid Gaulden said.

Ouzts had worked in the magistrate's office for several years, his son Chris Ouzts said.

Sheriff Charles Goodwin described Wilson as a very good officer.

Neighbor Gene Land said Steven Bixby was angry because the state planned to take some of his land to widen the highway.