Bergen Police Sergeant Dies Of Apparent Suicide: Officials

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — A local police sergeant has died of apparent suicide, according to authorities.

Maywood police Sgt. Jason Liaban, 39, has died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound that he sustained just after 2:30 a.m. Thursday, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said.

It is unclear where the incident occurred.

Police are investigating, though Liaban's death is not suspected to have involved criminal activity, Musella said.

"We ask that the public provide Sgt. Liaban's family, Maywood police, and the Bergen County law enforcement community privacy to grieve this sudden loss," the prosecutor's office said.

Town records show Sgt. Liaban and his partner received two commendations in 2021 for excellence in police work.

One saw Liaban helping to resuscitate an elderly woman who suffered cardiac arrest at a local pool; the second saw him preventing a woman from taking her own life.

"The de-escalation of this incident exhibited a high degree of sound judgment with their ability to perform what they have been trained to do under an extremely stressful and life-threatening situation," the commendation reads.

"Their combined teamwork and professionalism led to the de-escalation of a dangerous incident."

If you or someone you know may be considering suicide, call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.