New Jersey Cop Commits Suicide in Police Headquarters Parking Lot

Authorities in Mercer County say Officer Matthew Wallace, a 14-year law enforcement veteran of Ewing Police Department, died from a single and apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

The 36-year old allegedly took his own life around 2:30 a.m. at the township's complex on Jake Garzio Drive, NJ.com reports.

Wallace was off-duty at the time.  The prosecutor's office says a fellow officer discovered the tragedy.  A coroner ruled the death a suicide a short time later.

A recipient of numerous awards and commendations including several Chief Commendations Awards along with an Exceptional Duty Medal, Officer Wallace was one of the Ewing officers who helped rescue a 79-year-old woman from a burning home by carrying her in a wheelchair from the flames back in 2008, NJ.com reports.

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