Prosecutor: Cop's Body Found After Neighbor Hears 'Disturbance'

A Phillipsburg police officer was found shot dead in his home Tuesday night after a neighbor called police about a disturbance, Warren County Prosecutor Richard Burke announced.

Lopatcong Township Police were dispatched to 413 South Sixth Street at 9:13 p.m. Tuesday after a neighbor reported a possible disturbance, Burke said. When police arrived, they were unable to make contact with the homeowner, Timothy Balas, 41, Burke said.

With the assistance of the Warren County Tactical Response Team, police were able to make entry into the home at 11:21 p.m., where they found Balas deceased, Burke said.

Balas was killed by a single gunshot wound and the weapon was found at the scene in what appears to be a suicide, Burke said. While the investigation is ongoing, there is no suspect and foul play is not being considered, Burke said.

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