The officer was a nine-year veteran of the force.
Update: Sayreville cop shot to death identified by sources as decorated nine-year vet
SAYREVILLE -- Police departments and public officials around the state are mourning the death of a Sayreville police officer.
The male officer was a nine-year veteran of the Sayreville Police Department, according to law enforcement sources familiar with the investigation.
The exact circumstances of his death are unclear; authorities said his body was found outside the former Amboy Cinemas off Route 9 Monday morning, and he suffered one or more gunshot wounds. He was off duty at the time. Police have not said whether they are searching for a suspect.
"We mourn the loss of this officer and share the loss with our brothers and sisters at the Sayreville PBA," said Pat Colligan, the president of the state Policemen's Benevolent Association.
The Sayreville Police Department has one of the most active and engaged Facebook pages in Middlesex County, dispensing jokes and bon mots as often as information. So far on Monday, the department has been silent, but people from around the state and the country have left supportive messages on the page.
Assemblyman John Wisniewski, a resident of Sayreville, said on Twitter that it was a "very sad day."
A very sad day today as we mourn the loss of a @SayrevillePD Officer. Please keep @SayrevillePD and the officer's family in your prayers.
-- John Wisniewski (@AssemblymanWiz) March 21, 2016
Police in South Amboy, which is just to the east of Sayreville, also expressed condolences.
Our thoughts and prayers are with our neighbors in the Sayreville Police Department and their families.
Posted by South Amboy Police Department on Monday, March 21, 2016
Other police departments around the state also sent along their thoughts and prayers.
Our thoughts and prayers are currently with the entire Sayreville Police Department......
-- Piscataway NJ Police (@PiscatawayNJPD) March 21, 2016
Our thoughts and prayers are with @SayrevillePD and the Officers family.
-- Alpine Police (@AlpinePoliceNJ) March 21, 2016
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Officers family and friends and the entire Sayreville Police Department. RIP. #sayrevillepd
Posted by Bridgewater Police Department on Monday, March 21, 2016
The Clark Township Police Department would like to extend it's condolence to the Sayreville Police Department for the loss of their officer early this morning.
Posted by Clark Township Police Department on Monday, March 21, 2016
President Colligan - We all mourn the loss of our fellow Sayreville officer. Please keep Sayreville PD and officer's family in your prayers
-- New Jersey State PBA (@NJSPBA) March 21, 2016
Brian Amaral may be reached at bamaral@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @bamaral44. Find NJ.com on Facebook.