Mike Smith, a community affairs officer with the department, killed himself in his Manhattan Beach apartment on March 7, 2017

A NYPD officer decided to name his lover instead of his wife in his death-benefit beneficiary months before committing suicide, leaving the two women to squabble over more than $800,000 in pension.

Mike Smith, a community affairs officer with the department, killed himself in his Manhattan Beach apartment on March 7, 2017.

He did so while his girlfriend - Lt. Zoya Golubeva - was breaking up with him and also while he was living apart from wife Elizabeth Ann Morehouse.

Smith handed Golubeva a note that said, 'I love you more than you'll ever know,' as she and her parents packed up her things in their bedroom.

The 48-year-old man was then said to have walked to a nearby foyer and shot himself in the forehead, according to the New York Post.

He did so while his girlfriend - Lt. Zoya Golubeva - was breaking up with him and also while he was living apart from wife Elizabeth Ann Morehouse (pictured)

Smith handed Golubeva a note that said, 'I love you more than you'll ever know,' as she and her parents packed up her things in their bedroom. The 48-year-old man was then said to have walked to a nearby foyer and shot himself in the forehead

Smith had just filed retirement a few days prior and next to his body laid a picture of the blonde 37-year-old.

A 'pension statement' sat on a counter that was also close by.

Morehouse - who had been married to Smith for 14 years - had been named as the beneficiary of Smith's NYC Police Pension Fund until he secretly had it changed to the Russian native, 11 months before killing himself.

Morehouse - who had been married to Smith for 14 years - had been named as the beneficiary of Smith's NYC Police Pension Fund until he secretly had it changed to the Russian native, 11 months before killing himself

Changing the names prevented his wife and 14-year-old daughter from getting their hands on his $810,000 death benefit.

'That money should go to my daughter — he's her father,' Morehouse asserted.

She discovered the change when opening an envelope from the pension fund that was addressed to her husband - a felony crime that could warrant federal prosecution.

Spouses do not have a right to be notified when a person changes their beneficiary.

Morehouse can seek to collect a third of the benefits, however, under state laws that do protect disinherited spouses.

She has filed a 'right of election' claim to the amount - totaling approximately $270,000.

Golubeva would have claim to the remaining $540,000.

Experts familiar with pensions, claim that the change in beneficiary is a common one and has to be respected.

'This kind of thing has gone on forever. It's soap opera stuff all the time,' said John Murphy, a former executive director of NYCERS.

'They fall in love with someone else and want to leave the money to them.'

Nicole Giambarrese, the police pension fund's general counsel, said the fund 'is legally obligated to honor.'

According to Smith's sister, Kathleen Carrano, Golubeva had been open to giving the money to her boyfriend's daughter

According to Smith's sister, Kathleen Carrano, Golubeva had been open to giving the money to her boyfriend's daughter.

'She called it 'blood money,' and didn't want any of it,' Carrano claimed.

But 16 months since Smith's death, there has been no indication that the mother-of-three would be returning the money.

Golubeva's family had gotten along well with Smith's family, even celebrating Thanksgiving together one year.

Carrano stated, however, that the woman has ceased communication with Smith's family.

Morehouse can seek to collect a third of the benefits, however, under state laws that do protect disinherited spouses

The sister was also upset because Golubeva allegedly has Korean War medals belonging to Smith's father - Raymond - and has not given them back.

'They're really significant to our family. I don't know what meaning they would have for her,' Carrano said.

Smith's death shocked his family, who said the long-time cop had been a pillar in the 70th Precinct in Kensington for 23 years.

'He was looking forward to getting a dog — even starting a dog-walking service — and going to the beach,' Carrano said. 'We didn't pick up on any signs of depression.'

He had been adamant on helping area cops deal with suicide awareness through his work as a union delegate.

'He'd say, "Oh my god, there has to be another way,"' Morehouse added. 'He believed in God and believed that suicide is wrong.'

The two never formally divorced, and Smith and Golubeva were said to have a difficult relationship from the moment they started dating in 2014.

'We remained friends, and both loved our daughter,' Morehouse said.

She was able to get the $250,000 life insurance policy for Smith though, because he left no will.

Golubeva collected $142,438 in payment last year from the NYPD. She is expected to receive a large pension when she retires.

Smith's daughter shared that she missed her father 'every day' and doesn't understand why the woman won't return the money.

'She was leaving Daddy. She wanted nothing to do with him. Why does she think she’s entitled to his money?' Morehouse added that her daughter said.

For confidential help, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or click here

For confidential support on suicide matters in the UK, call the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90, visit a local Samaritans branch or click here

For confidential support in Australia, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or click here