A massive manhunt was under way in this community near the Jersey shore for the killer of Patrolman Christopher Matlosz, who had just transferred from the night shift a week ago and was engaged to be married next year.
His fiancee rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead less than an hour after the shooting.
"This is a terrible tragedy, and our hearts and prayers go out to Officer Matlosz's family, friends, fellow officers and the entire New Jersey law enforcement community," Gov. Chris Christie said. "While the facts are still being gathered, we support the Lakewood police and Ocean County Prosecutor's Office in their work to bring swift justice to whomever is responsible."
Prosecutor Marlene Lynch Ford said Matlosz never saw it coming. She said he was conducting "a routine stop" of the suspect, chatting with him for a few minutes, leading authorities to believe the two may have been acquainted with each other before the shooting.
"This was an encounter that was between the officer and the person, not hostile," she said. "The individual stepped back and suddenly pulled out a handgun and shot the officer."
While the suspect fled on foot, a neighbor called 911 just after 4 p.m. to report an officer down. Matlosz was rushed to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, where he died in the trauma unit. He is survived by his mother and a brother.
The suspect was described as a black male in his early 20s or late teens, stockily built with sunken eyes and puffy cheeks. He was wearing a black hoodie and dark jeans slung so low that gray boxer shorts were visible, according to a witness account to police.
"Every year we lose police officers in this country and so many of their losses are just like this one: routine, nonviolent situations" that suddenly turn deadly, Ford said. "Now it hits home. This is the risk every officer takes when he put on the badge."
The killing took place in a neighborhood that had seen several drive-by shootings, Ford said. It was not immediately clear if those prior shootings may be linked to the stop that led to the officer's death.
Officers from local and state police were swarming the neighborhood and several helicopters were swooping low over homes and trees in the area. State Attorney General Paula Dow promised the killer would be caught.
"I am deeply saddened to learn about the fatal shooting of Lakewood police Officer Chris Matlosz, who lost his life in the line of duty this evening," Dow said. "Rest assured, the suspect responsible for this horrific act will be apprehended and brought to justice."
The State Policeman's Benevolent Association is offering a $40,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the suspect, according to the group's spokesman, Jim Ryan.
Matlosz, 27, joined the department Aug. 14, 2006, and had just transferred to the evening shift after more than three years on the midnight shift, police Chief Robert Lawson said. He lived in nearby Manchester Township.
"Chris was one of our most popular officers," the chief said. "You might say he was the best of us. He was very dedicated to his job. I have a lot of accolades about him from the public."
Before joining the Lakewood Police Department, Matlosz worked as a police officer in Englishtown, a Monmouth County suburb, and as a Class 2 special police officer in Freehold Township, Manasquan and Long Branch on the Jersey shore.
He graduated from Howell Township High School and earned his degree in criminal justice from Brookdale College in 2004.
His death was the second shooting involving a Lakewood police officer in recent years.
In September 2009, another Lakewood police officer, Patrolman Jonathan Wilson, was critically wounded when he was shot in the face during a gun and drug raid. Three other officers were shot but received lesser injuries.
A suspect in that case faces attempted murder charges.
