Roselle Park Police Officer Edward Nortrup served his department for 13 years.
Matawan, NJ – Roselle Park Police Officer Edward Nortrup died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound on Sunday.
The incident occurred near the Matawan Municipal Community Center on Broad Street just after 12 p.m., NJ.com reported.
The 39-year-old, off-duty officer slammed his vehicle into two parked cars, causing his vehicle to partially roll over and trapping him inside.
“As first responders left the vehicle to get equipment to help with the extraction, the driver located a firearm and fatally shot himself,” Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office spokesperson Chris Swendeman told NJ.com.
It was unclear whether or not the firearm Officer Nortrup used was a personal firearm or his duty weapon.
Officer Nortrup served the Roselle Park Police Department (RPPD) for 13 years, and was assigned to the detective bureau at the time of his death, the agency said in a Facebook post on Monday.
“It is with tremendous sadness that Police Chief Daniel J. McCaffery announces the passing of Roselle Park Police Officer Edward Nortrup,” the post read. “Patrolman Nortrup was a co-worker, friend, and a brother.”
He also served on the Union County Emergency Response Team during his career.
“Always willing to help others, Patrolman Nortrup was a well-respected member of the law-enforcement community, and will be sorely missed,” the RPPD said. “We would ask that you respect the privacy of the family during this time of grieving.”
Chief McCaffery said that the entire department is grieving the loss of Officer Nortrup, NJ.com reported.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Roselle Park Police Officer Edward Nortrup, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.
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