New Jersey cop, 39, fatally shoots himself in the head after crashing his SUV into two parked cars – as first responders were preparing to free him from the wreck
- Roselle Park police patrolman Edward Nortrup committed suicide inside his wrecked SUV in Matawan, New Jersey, on Sunday
- He appeared to have lost control and crashed into two parked cars on Broad Street at noon
- When first responders left his side to get tools to extract him, Nortrup got hold of a gun and shot himself in the head
- He was 13-year veteran who served in the Detective Bureau and had been a member of the Union County Emergency Response Team
- Nortrup leaves behind his wife and their 15-month-old daughter, Evelyn
A veteran New Jersey police officer who’d recently become a father killed himself behind the wheel after crashing into two parked cars.
Roselle Park police patrolman Edward Nortrup, 39, shot and killed himself inside his mangled SUV in Matawan on Sunday while firefighters were preparing to get him out of the wreck.
The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office wrote in a press release that Nortrup was driving along Broad Street at around noon when he appeared to have lost control of his black Nissan SUV and smashed into the cars.
Rest in peace: Off-duty Roselle Park police patrolman Edward Nortrup shot and killed himself inside his wrecked SUV in Matawan, New Jersey, on Sunday
Nortrup appeared to have lost control and crashed into two parks cars on Broad Street at noon
Nortrup’s black Nissan is seen been hauled away from the scene after he shot himself in the head inside as first responders were getting tools to extract him
His SUV then partially rolled over before coming to a stop, reported Patch.com.
As first responders on the scene left Nortrup’s vehicle to go get tools needed to free him, the prosecutor said the officer got a hold of a firearm and shot himself in the head.
It remains unclear at this time what might have driven the 13-year veteran and married father-of-one to commit suicide.
The Roselle Park Police Department released a statement on its Facebook page on Monday mourning Nortrup’s untimely death.
Edward Nortrup and his wife Esmeira are pictured at their wedding in 2016
Nortrup is survived by his wife of four years and their 15-month-old daughter, Evelyn (right)
‘Patrolman Nortrup was a co-worker, friend and a brother,’ the post read. ‘Always willing to help others, Patrolman Nortrup was a well-respected member of the law-enforcement community, and will be sorely missed.’
A 2007 graduate of the John H. Stamler Police Academy, Nortrup served in the Detective Bureau and had been a member of the Union County Emergency Response Team.
When Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico in 2017, Nortrup was deployed to the island to help with relief efforts.
Esmeira Paulino, the wife of Edward Nortrup, is pictured with their 15-month-old daughter Evelyn
According to the description of a GoFundMe campaign launched by the Roselle Park Police Benevolent Association Local 27, where Nortrup served as executive board member and treasurer, the officer leaves behind his wife and their 15-month-old daughter, Evelyn.
‘For those fortunate enough to have known or worked with Officer Nortrup will remember him fondly as a caring, compassionate and kindhearted person,’ the page read.
All the proceeds from the online fundraiser will go to Nortrup’s baby daughter.
For confidential support call the National Suicide Prevention Line on 1-800-273-8255