Pablo Santiago, a well-known Mercer County sheriff’s officer, was found dead inside the Mercer County Administration building on South Broad Street in Trenton Wednesday afternoon of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, authorities said.

Santiago, who currently held the rank of detective, was found at about 1:15 p.m.

Mercer County Sheriff Jack Kemler announced his death late Wednesday:

“This tragedy is a very sad reminder of the pressures that law-enforcement officers experience on a daily basis,” Kemler said. “Our hearts break when a law enforcement officer in our community dies under any circumstances. I know that all of our Sheriff’s Officers feel a terrible loss today. Our thoughts and prayers are with Det. Santiago, his family, his friends and colleagues."

Officer Pablo Santiago, center, is honored for his community work in March 2018 at a Coffee with a Cop event in Trenton. Also honored was Trenton Police Officer Angela Turner, right. (Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media)TT Michael Mancuso | For NJ.com

Kemler said Santiago served the sheriff’s office “with distinction” since December 2004.

Santiago lived in South Trenton and before he joined the sheriff’s office was an officer with the Trenton Police Department. Several years ago, Santiago investigated federal gun trafficking cases while assigned to a federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) task force.

Word of Santiago’s death spread rapidly through the public safety community in Mercer County, causing an visceral reaction of shock, disbelief and sadness. Many went on social media to mourn him.

With apparent suicide the cause, some urged anyone who might be in crisis to reach out, and some posted suicide hotlines numbers, and a few even posted their own cell phone numbers and said they welcomed calls.

Social media is a place where many connected with Santiago.

He posted often on Facebook about his family, his work, things going on in Trenton, and often posted humorous pictures of himself, in a self-deprecating manner and with his trademark, giant smile.

Santiago was popular not only with his fellow officers and the community, but to law enforcement and political leaders in Trenton and the county. He was present at an array of community events and was lauded several times by organizations for his community involvement - the latest in March.

“Pablo was a beloved member of the Mercer County law enforcement community whose loss will be felt by all,” Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo Onofri said.

“The Mercer County Family is deeply saddened by this tragedy, and our heartfelt condolences go out to Detective Santiago’s loved ones," Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes said.

The shooting brought a number of police an EMS vehicles to the county building at 640 S. Broad St. just south of downtown Trenton, and several stayed there for hours. It’s home to most of Mercer County’s offices, including the county executive and freeholder board.

The Mercer prosecutor’s Homicide Task Force is investigating Santiago’s death.

Detective Pablo Santiago, Irish for the day, as he drives in a traffic detail at the Robbinsville St. Patricks' Day Parade in 2017. (Phil McAuliffe for the Times of Trenton)TT TT TT

Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@kevintshea. Find NJ.com on Facebook.