Cause Of Hero New Jersey Police Officer's Death Revealed

The cause of death of a hero New Jersey police officer who was shot and killed outside an abandoned movie theater was suicide, according to police.

Detective Matthew Kurtz, 34, who once saved an 83-year-old man in a fire, was found outside the Amboy Cinemas building off the Garden State Parkway on Monday, authorities said.

Sayreville Police Chief John J. Zebrowski said the officer's death "sheds more light on an insidious predator that has taken his life and so many others in law enforcement as well."

"Sadly, suicide remains a leading cause of police officer deaths," he wrote on the department's Facebook page. "Thus, the method by which he lost his life does not make our loss any less tragic. In fact, it leaves only a greater void as many questions will remain unanswered."

A Facebook page belonging to a Matthew Kurtz of Sayreville used the "Thin Blue Line" symbol - which recognizes fallen officers - as its profile photo this week.

Kurtz, who was found in his personal car with the passenger-side window blown out, suffered one or more gunshot wounds, according to the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office.

The Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office confirmed Monday that the body of the Sayreville police officer was found around 7:15 a.m. Monday morning. Soon after, police tape stretched across the parking lot while police officers tended to the scene behind the theater.

Zebrowski said his department is "gratified by the outpouring of support that we have received from our community, as well as from our brothers and sisters in law enforcement during this very difficult time."

"We continue to grieve for the loss of Matthew and his family remains steadfastly in our prayers," he said.

The Facebook page, and other Internet sources, portrayed Kurtz as a beloved police officer with a strong friend-and-family support system who was promoted and decorated for acts of heroism in the line of duty.

Kurtz was honored last year for helping to rescue an 83-year-old man from a house fire in December 2014, according to mycentraljersey.com. Kurtz and another police officer entered through the rear door of the burning Main Street structure to pull Sayreville resident Max Klitzke to safety, according to the report.

Last year, Kurtz, Sayreville Police Sgt. Kevin Connors and officer Douglas Gumprecht were presented with valor awards from the 200 Club of Middlesex County at the organization's 42nd annual banquet at the Pines Manor on Route 27 in Edison, according to mycentraljersey.com.

In November, Kurtz received his gold shield and was transferred to the Sayreville Police Department's Investigation Division. "Congratulations Detective Kurtz!" the department said in its announcement on the its Facebook page (see photo).

Kurtz was a 9-year veteran who was sworn in as an officer in 2007.

Kurtz was married to the former Jamie Mackiel of South Amboy and was a graduate of St. Mary's Regional High School in South Amboy, according to another mycentraljersey.com report.

Matthew was clearly a “cop’s cop," Zebrowski said.

"He was smart, hardworking, a volunteer in our community and a leader within the PBA," he said.

"Incidents like these," he continued, "cause us to consider that, while we have equipped and trained our officers well for the external forces that remain a daily threat, more remains to be done to reduce those internal factors that are equally threatening."

He also said:

"I am reminded of the last paragraph in the Police Officer Prayer to Saint Michael which reads: 'We will be as proud to guard the throne of God as we have been to guard the city of men.' The men and women of the Sayreville Police Department are confident that Matthew is now on that Watch and adeptly handling those duties.

"Once again, we greatly appreciate the respectful and considerate support that has been received."

Related stories:

• Shooting Death of Hero N.J. Police Officer Remains Tragic Mystery
• UPDATE: Sources Identify N.J. Police Officer Shot And Killed

Photo: Matthew Kurtz (right)