NJ Police Officer Commits Suicide

New Jersey police officer commits suicide before first responders are able to save him from a car wreck.

Growing Number of Police Suicides

Policy suicide numbers have been growing, with 17 last year in New Jersey and 37 since 2016, leading the NJ State office of the Attorney General to launch a two-day training program for every active officer regarding mental health awareness.

In what can only be described as a tragedy, 39-year-old Roselle Park Police officer Edward Nortrup was driving in Matawan Sunday when he crashed into two parked cars reportedly due to losing control of his vehicle.

“As first responders left the vehicle to get equipment to help with the extraction, the driver located a firearm and fatally shot himself,” the New York Post was told by a spokesman for Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.

Although it was not identified whether or not the firearm was the officer’s service weapon, Police Chief Daniel McCaffery confirmed Nortrup’s manner of death, stating that he “removed a gun in his possession and fired one shot, tragically taking his own life.”

“Patrolman Nortrup was a co-worker, friend, and a brother. Always willing to help others, Patrolman Nortrup was a well-respected member of the law-enforcement community, and will be sorely missed,” the department said on Monday.

“For those fortunate enough to have known or worked with Officer Nortrup will remember him fondly as a caring, compassionate and kindhearted person,” PBA Local 27 said.