A Bedford County volunteer fire chief has been placed on administrative leave after becoming the subject of an investigation by Virginia State Police.

The Bureau of Criminal Investigation on Thursday searched a home in the 3900 block of Turner Branch Road, according to state police spokesman Sgt. Rob Carpentieri.

The home belongs to Hardy Volunteer Company Fire Chief Jeff Shifflett. The house has a Vinton mailing address but is located in Bedford County.

Bedford County Fire & Rescue Chief Jack Jones said the investigation involves possible mismanagement of station funds. Carpentieri said he was unaware of criminal charges.

It was unclear what, if anything, investigators seized from Shifflett's home during their search.

Jones said he received word of the investigation from the Bedford County Commonwealth's Attorney's Office on Thursday afternoon. He said after speaking with investigators he put Shifflett on administrative leave "pending a resolution of the investigation."

Shifflett has been a volunteer Hardy fire chief for about 20 years, Jones said. He is also a deputy fire marshal and was involved in the investigation of the March 20 fire that destroyed the Smith Mountain Lake home owned by Wesley Earnest, a former high school administrator charged with first-degree murder in the death of his estranged wife.

Investigators requested Hardy officials reclaim Shifflett's volunteer fire company truck, and it was returned to the station Thursday afternoon.

"I think people have the fear there's not going to be fire protection in that area, and that's certainly not true," Jones said, adding that Eric Shell, Hardy's assistant fire chief, will serve as acting fire chief in Shifflett's absence.

"Justice will be served. We'll find out how this will be resolved," he said. "We will live to see better days."

Staff researcher Belinda Harris contributed to this report.