MADISON, Wis. -- Dane County's sheriff said Friday the man fatally shot by deputies this week near Stoughton told a friend that he "intended to die."

SLIDESHOW: See Images From Scene In Stoughton

Authorities said that William Sorenson, 42, was shot by deputies who returned his gunfire outside his garage on Wednesday night in the Town of Dunkirk.

Sheriff Dave Mahoney said at a news conference on Friday that Sorenson had either texted or phoned a friend while he was in the garage, said he was armed with a shotgun and intended to die.

"The deceased had made a call to a friend indicating he was armed with a shotgun and was in the garage and intended to die," Mahoney said.

Deputies initially tried to subdue the man using a non-lethal beanbag round. Sorenson then apparently opened fire and the deputies responded.

Dane County Coroner Barry Irmen said Sorenson was intoxicated at the time of the shooting and was shot multiple times by the deputies.

For the last four years, Sorenson worked for the Madison Streets Division. Sorenson and his wife had filed for divorce, but they hadn't moved far in those proceedings, WISC-TV reported.

Mahoney detailed a history of domestic violence between the couple, including what he said were many incidents that went unreported.

He said that a number of text messages were exchanged between the man and his wife. She had come home that night to "prevent additional problems" before calling 911 to say Sorenson was drunk and ask he be removed from the home, Mahoney said.

Investigators said that have learned the man called a friend from his garage to let him know what was going to happen.

"I think it was fairly clear in the phone message that he was saying goodbye to his friends. He had in his mind that, however this incident occurred, that he intended to die," Mahoney said.

The sheriff said he believes alcohol was a factor in the incident. Other toxicology results aren't yet available, WISC-TV reported.

Echoing Mahoney's statements backing the deputies' actions, the district attorney said Friday that the deputies followed Dane County's use of force policy, which states deadly force can be used to protect a deputy or others from what is believed to be an imminent threat of death. No charges will be filed, officials said.

Six officers had been placed on administrative leave in connection with the shooting while the investigation unfolded.

It's the second fatal shooting by Dane County sheriff's deputies in as many weeks. A McFarland man was killed by deputies' gunfire on July 20. Deputies were cleared of any wrongdoing earlier this week in connection with the McFarland shooting.

At least one of the officers involved in Wednesday night's shooting had just returned from leave because of the McFarland shooting. It's taking a toll on officers and on neighbors, who are still in a sense of shock over the shooting, WISC-TV reported.

Mahoney called the number of officer-involved shooting incidents in the area, including a third in Columbus, is something of an anomaly.

Stay tuned to WISC-TV and Channel 3000 for continuing coverage.