NEWARK — A Hayward police officer was found dead Saturday morning in a park here from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, authorities said.

“Our department is grieving,” Hayward police spokeswoman Officer Claudia Mau said Monday by phone. “This is unexpected. He was always smiling. He was an employee in good standing and he had no issues we were aware of.”

The officer was not scheduled to work Saturday, officials said.

He was found in Newark’s Birch Grove Park. Newark police would only confirm at this time they were investigating the death. No other details were released.

Mau did not want to provide additional information, since the death is being investigated by Newark police.

She did say that “right now our focus is supporting his family and other officers.”

This news organization generally does not name people who commit suicide.

Flags in Hayward were at half-staff Monday.

Neighbors near the park said they saw yellow caution tape wrapped around a portion of the park and many police cars and officers in the area on Saturday morning.

Monday morning, balloons tied to a tree near the Newark park’s southwestern edge waved in a light breeze, just above several bunches of flowers left to honor and remember the officer.

A group of five police officers, some from Hayward and some from Newark, arrived and gathered around the tree to pay respects to him, and placed a flower arrangement at the base of the tree.

If you or someone you know is struggling with feelings of depression or suicidal thoughts, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline offers free, round-the-clock support, information and resources for help. Reach the lifeline at 800-273-8255.

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