NJ Police Officer Fatally Shoots Himself After Matawan Crash: PD

MATAWAN – An off-duty New Jersey police officer fatally shot himself Sunday after getting in a car accident, prosecutors said. The officer's department paid tribute to him on its Facebook page.

Services have been announced and many have expressed their grief: 'Friend And A Brother:' Tears Over NJ Cop's Death After Crash

The incident happened at approximately 12:01 p.m. near 208 Broad St. when Matawan police responded to a single-vehicle collision involving a 39-year-old Aberdeen resident, according to the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office.

The driver, who was also an officer in the Roselle Park Police Department, appeared to have lost control of his vehicle and struck two parked cars, prosecutors said.

His car then proceeded to partially rollover before coming to a final stop, prosecutors said.

As first responders left the vehicle to get equipment to help with the extraction, the driver located a firearm and fatally shot himself in the head, prosecutor said.

The department paid tribute to Roselle Park Police Officer Edward Nortrup on its Facebook page. Nortrup was a 13-year veteran of the department, police said.

"Patrolman Nortrup was a co-worker, friend and a brother," the department said.

An investigation is continuing.

This is a developing story. Patch will have more information as it comes in.