Former Bergen Prosecutor and assistant U.S. Attorney John Fahy, seen here in an undated file photo, was found dead in East Rutherford Wednesday, the victim of an apparent suicide.

EAST RUTHERFORD — A prominent attorney who served as the Bergen County Prosecutor and an assistant U.S. Attorney was found dead beneath an overpass Wednesday afternoon, the victim of an apparent suicide.

John J. Fahy died of a single gunshot wound to the head, East Rutherford Police Chief Larry Minda said. His body was found beneath a railroad trestle along Route 17, just a stone's throw from his legal office and not far from his Rutherford home.

An autopsy is scheduled for Thursday, Bergen Prosecutor John Molinelli said.

Fahy was a former assistant U.S. Attorney in Newark, where he headed up a political corruption unit.

He later served as Bergen County Prosecutor from 1990 to 1995, under former Gov. Jim Florio, who told The Record newspaper that Fahy was the best appointment he made during his tenure.

As Bergen prosecutor, Fahy oversaw an investigation into safety procedures at the Bergen County Jail prompted by several inmate suicides, and an overhaul of the South Hackensack Police Department after a gambling and corruption scandal.

Fahy was a founding member of Fahy-Choi, a law firm where he focused on "complex litigation including white-collar criminal defense," according to his company biography.

Fahy was a frequent television commentator on legal and law enforcement topics, appearing as recently as June on MSNBC to discuss the trial of George Zimmerman, the man acquitted in the killing of Florida teen Trayvon Martin, and last year on NJTV to discuss the case of Rutgers student Dharun Ravi.

Former Bergen Prosecutor John Fahy, right, is seen in this file photo.

He received his bachelor's degree and MBA from Fairleigh Dickinson University, and a law degree from the Seton Hall Law Center, where he also served as president of the alumni association.

He's survived by his wife, Ann.

Molinelli said the 6'4" Fahy, whom most of his friends knew as "Jay," was well regarded in the legal community.

"You always knew he was in a room because he was always the biggest person in the room."

Two "young males" who happened by found Fahy's body around 5 p.m., Molinelli told reporters on Wednesday. Authorities did not disclose the age or identity of the witnesses. Police closed off Route 17 as they investigated the incident, which occurred near Castle Billiards Lounge.

"Jay was someone that all of us knew, so it obviously comes to a surprise and shock to me as well," Molinelli said.

Fahy's car was found in the driveway of his house, and police believe he walked to the railroad trestle where he apparently took his own life. A handgun was recovered at the scene, and the prosecutor said police do not suspect foul play.

Despite that, the East Rutherford Police Department and the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office Major Crimes Unit would continue to investigate Fahy's death, Molinelli said. Molinelli did not comment on whether a note was found at the scene, and said Fahy's motive was still unknown.

"We don't always have an answer on why people do these things," Molinelli said. "Hopefully we'll have an answer in a short time."

Reporter Myles Ma contributed to this story.