EWING — A Ewing police officer shot himself to death this morning in the parking lot behind police headquarters, authorities said.

Officer Matthew Wallace, 39, a 14-year law enforcement veteran, committed suicide around 2:30 a.m. at the township's complex on Jake Garzio Drive, Mercer County First Assistant Prosecutor Angelo Onofri said.

Wallace was off-duty when he died from a single gunshot to the head, authorities said. His body was discovered by a fellow police officer, the prosecutor's office said in a news release.

Wallace's death was investigated at the scene by the prosecutor’s office, New Jersey State Police and the Ewing police, and the county medical examiner ruled the death a suicide, the release said.

Wallace lived in Westampton Township, was married and had children, Onofri said.

"I knew Matthew for a very long time. I coached him in soccer since he was 7 years old,"

Ewing Mayor Bert Steinmann said this morning. "It's a tragedy and it's a tremendous loss not only for the department but also for the community. his is the saddest day I've had as mayor."

Steinmann described Wallace as an outstanding officer. Wallace was not on duty at the time of the incident and a sergeant found him in the parking lot, Steinmann said.

Wallace received numerous awards and commendations including several Chief Commendations Awards along with an Exceptional Duty Medal.

In 2008, Wallace was one of five Ewing officers who helped rescue a 79-year-old woman from a burning home by carrying her in a wheelchair from the flames.

Officer Fred Dow, the Ewing PBA president, was one of the police trainers who brought Wallace onto the job.

"He was just a happy, outgoing guy. And he just had a smile on his face,” Dow said. “Everybody’s taking it really hard. We’re trying to do the best we can for his family.”

Onofri said the suicide occurred near the animal shelter behind the municipal building, where police headquarters are located. Wallace’s family was notified this morning, he said.

Mercer County Prosecutor Joseph Bocchini Jr. said this afternoon that Wallace was a “well-respected and well-liked member of the Ewing Police Department.”

“Matt was a caring and dedicated police officer who served the Ewing Police Department with distinction,” Bocchini said in a press release. “He was known as being the first person to volunteer for assignments and no job was ever too tough for him to handle. He will be greatly missed.”

Wallace was born and raised in Ewing and is a graduate of the public schools there, the release said. He attended Mercer County Community College, majoring in criminal justice.

Wallace was hired by the Ewing police in 1999 and assigned to the Patrol Division, where he worked the bike patrol. He was also a certified telecommunications operator and a certified Alcotest operator.

“Matt was a good cop and a very likeable guy. He will be missed by our entire police department. This event can only be summed up by one word: tragic. Our thoughts and prayers will be with Matt and his family,” Lt. Ronald P. Lunetta, the department's Officer in Charge, said in a release.

Editor's note: This post has been updated with additional information.

Times of Trenton staff Alex Zdan, David Karas and Jon Offredo contributed to this report.

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