The Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office has identified the man who died Wednesday afternoon after being tased by officers during a drug investigation in St. Joseph.

39-year-old Bruce Lee Edward Johnson, a south St. Joseph resident has been identified as the man who died after allegedly resisting officers on McKenzie Dr.

As we previously reported, Col. Bill Puett with the sheriff’s office said investigators with the Drug Strike Force were conducting a warrant operation Wednesday afternoon on MacKenzie Dr. Puett said investigators were looking for an individual involved in drug activity and outstanding warrants when a man confronted officers as they approached the house.

“He came out of the house as the officers were approaching the house,” Puett said. “He became combative with officers and tried to attack the officers with a ball bat and fight with them. After he did that he was tased and then arrested and later died at Mosaic after he was transported.”

Puett said it’s unknown if the taser contributed to the man’s death. The Missouri State Highway Patrol has been requested to investigate.

Cpl. Sarah Hardin said an autopsy is scheduled for Friday morning. Anyone with information is asked to call the Criminal Investigations Division at (816) 236-8872.