Unfortunately the headline sums up the details that were released at this afternoon’s press conference. Essentially the ATF is investigating the source of the AK-47 found at the scene as well as determining if the bullets found at the scene and at officer Morelli’s home match, and were fired from the gun that was used.
They are not at a point where they can make a 100% determination that it was suicide or accidental. The investigation is ongoing, and will be thorough. Most of the questions asked at the press conference couldn’t be answered because of the ongoing investigation. None of the details concerning the guns found, shots fired, whether the crime scene was staged could be answered.
Chief Rilling did confirm that an AK-47 was recovered. He could not confirm whether it was Morelli’s or whether that was the gun that was used, or whether it was registere, as per law, with the state. It is still an open question as to whether it was common knowledge amongst the polcie department officials that Morelli regularly carried an AK-47 on patrols.
Officer Morelli will be honored with full burial services and that the Marine Honor Guard will be here. From the press release: Matthew became a United States Marine and Norwalk Police Officer for all of the right reasons; duty, hnor, country and community service. The night of Friday, Officer Morelli began his solo patrol at 11 PM and it was typical for him to patrol solo during this shift.
Beyond the ATF investigating the gun used, other details will need to be looked into. Chiefly, if this gun shot was not accidental, the motive behind every incident leading up the shooting must be examined. Avenues of investigation could be the types of calls that Ofifcer Morelli answered in the days preceding the incident.
Yesterday afternoon, Chief Rilling did send a notice out, according to a Norwalk Police officer, and reported by the AP, that alerted Connecticut Police chiefs that it was likely that the shooting was self inflicted. Although rumours to that effect swirled as early as Friday, the crime scene indicated that there were other possibilities and had to be investigated.
Some of the media questioned why the public was not alerted earlier to the possibility and why the public was not kept more informed about crime scene details. The Chief struggled to explain the situation, this is as he said, not something you learn about in a text book. Crime scenes are often not clear cut, one had only to watch enough “cold case” shows to realize that what seemingly seems obvious after all the facts are detailed is often chaotic and open to interpretation. Coupled with the state involvement and the FBI, and it is not hard to see that information was not even up to Chief Rilling to release.
Mayor Moccia said he was open to evaluating whether a policy change of two man patrols at night might be revisited. His concerns about such a policy change center on the impact that would have on the number of patrols, implying that they would have to be reduced. There are areas of Norwalk where this would not be such a good idea.
It is horribly sad when someone commits suicide. It seems pretty clear that the police knew this within hours. I was shocked when on Friday morning driving through SoNo there was no more police presence than on any other day. If this wasn’t a self-inflicted incident there would have been 100s of police throughout Norwalk (and rightfully so). It seems clear that the Police Dept. was confident this was a suicide within hours of Officer Morelli’s death. They had a duty and obligation to expeditiously acknowledge the same to the public. By committing suicide on the job in these mysterious conditions, this became a public death (One can only guess why Officer Morelli decided to end his life in this manner- perhaps under his clearly confused condition he thought that an on the job death would provide more death benefits for his daughter). The manhunt put the public (and officers) at serious risk and the subsequent anxiety in the community was palpable.
If this is the 6th suicide by a Norwalk Cop w/in the past 30 years than the department needs to do something either by screening potential applicants and/or providing ongoing counseling for officers (as well as random drug testing) actively employed. Six suicides in 30 years for a force of Norwalk’s size is incredible. Suicide is far too common and Officer Morelli must have been in incredible pain to have elected to end his own life. I hope that the Norwalk PD undergoes some serious self-analysis to determine why so many of its officers are so deeply depressed.
you have to think back was it this officer who was missing three weeks ago for almost an hour?
car, radio, cell phone and other devices that know where the cop and cruiser is at all time failed about three weeks ago. Then according to vetern police officers the missing cop appeared as if nothing was wrong. Its an incident worth mentioning.It was in South Norwalk as well. The lot where the officer was found was a favorite to do paperwork in for most officers again told by veterns.
Maybe the pace maybe the overtime was not enough to makes ends meat who knows tragedy just the same.
Still the same conditions remain the same on the streets and the same conditions remain on the dept. Both need improvement no matter what is the final verdict.
Cops work a job like all the working people of this city. Maybe the working idiots need improvement and have a tough time making ends meet to pay for all of the civil servants.
Officer Matt Morelli was a fine police officer, and former United States Marine. He served to protect the City of Norwalk and this Country during Desert Storm. Officer Morelli was one of Norwalk’s finest. I will pray that he has found peace in his life. He was a good officer, and friend, who was brave while performing his duties.
For those people who did not have the pleasure to know him. When Officer Morelli was on duty patroling the City of Norwalk. The citizens of Norwalk were safe. Officer Morelli will be missed by the Norwalk Police Department and the City of Norwalk. May God Bless his soul.
SEMPER FI
I have a feeling, and it’s not out of the ordinary, that the wife’s divorcing him had something to do with it.
#1 I agree with your post the only thing I need to add its not self analysis they need…Its a civilian review board and commissions that are truly non-bias—not the mayor and 2 former Norwalk police officers……….THIS IS A DEPARTMENT OUT OF CONTROL…..
What we really need is a law like in Israel, where every citizen needs to serve one year in the military or law enforcement so they have experience in the field before they comment from the cheap seats.
Everyone is forgetting here that cops are human, like all of us. Matt Morelli was tragically in a confused state of mind, upset about his divorce and maybe other things, we’ll never know (nor is it any of our business). But there were too many things which needed to be investigated for the police to immediately conclude and announce that this was a suicide. The suggestion was out there, and that’s a neighborhood that people don’t just wander into for the fun of it so they weren’t really scaring anyone unnecessarily. I know I myself when I heard this was just sad and upset for Officer Morelli and his family, I wasn’t thinking ‘oh God I might not be safe down in SONO tonight’.
#7 has the right idea.
Norwalk needs new leadership in the police dept. and it can not be one of the good ol boy’s or girl’s it has to come from outside the dept. Harry it’s time to retire for the good of the department and Norwalk things are way out of control. God bless the Morrelli family and may officer Morelli rest in peace.
#8: Your saying “they weren’t really scaring anyone unnecessarily” suggests that people in South Norwalk ought to be regarded and treated differently than other citizens in Norwalk. Do you really think that “my people” don’t have fears? I don’t think you had ill intent in your posting, but you don’t understand. Seeing police with rifles and shotguns in the neighborhood scares the hell out of us.
I hope all believing people will say a prayer for Officer Morelli and his family. He is at rest but they must be suffering horribly.
The Thin Blue Line NOT IN NORWALK!!
THERE IS NONE!!! I think Rilling,Resnic and Moccia ought to read the book by Joe Wambaugh if they still have jobs after this! Perhaps then they would have some Idea how to treat their Personal both the MEN and the Women and I guess 6 suicides might reflect a departmental problem… WHAT DO YOU THINK???
ITS CLEARLY TIME FOR CHANGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11
To the men and women of the Norwalk Police Department:
You have my deepest sympathy and support at this most trying time. I knew Officer Morelli and most of the fine Police Officers in Norwalk. Matt was a good man, who never shied away from his duties or battle, either for his country in Iraq or his city here in Norwalk. He will be missed by all.
Please understand that many of the peple posting here do not represent the majority of the citizens of Norwalk. Almost all of the people I have spoken to in the community fully support the manner in which the department conducted itself during the course of this investigation. I have seen how businessmen and women in the community show their support for you as individuals and as a whole. Don’t let the vocal minority on this site discourage you. The vast majority of the taxpayers in this town support you wholeheartedly. There will always be a small percentage of people who will question everything you do, and will never be satisfied. Yet these are the same people who will never step up and do the job themselves. Over the past several days, I have heard countless people say that they would not do your job and risk their lives for all the money in the world. God bless you.
#12 You are wrong most of the negative posts here in regards to the Norwalk Police Department do represent the feeling of the majority of the Norwalk residents…Almost everyone I speak with feels this investigation and many other have been handled incorrectly by the NPD…Lets look at the facts how many crimes are actually solved by NPD…few if any…Most solved crimes in the city of Norwalk are resolved by other agencys….
#11 get a grip…the thin blue line is the problem…What needs to happen in Norwalk and everywhere is the thin blue line needs to be gone…Being a cop is like any other job…your reward is your paycheck..PERIOD…So #11 get back in that retired police car you bought at auction with the big whip antenna from the 70′s, and the 3 CB radios and play cop and ride off into the sunset
So true #9 so true
Hey 13. I challenge you to walk into any business in Norwalk and ask them how they feel about the Norwalk Police. I spoke to numerous who say the police have always been there for them.
I have to agree with 12 and 16. Almost all the people I know like the Norwalk Police officers. Failfield County Advocate always has them voted as the friendliest Police in the the county. I think 13 was one of those guys who said everyone hated Moccia in November and how everyone was going to vote him out of office. See how that turned out…
#10 add the thought of having two helicopters with searchlights 50 feet from our rooftops for over two hours was not what I wanted my children to have to think about the rest of their life. But thats life and we go on but not knowing like somebody said was living in fear. Most of your postings don’t refer to what actually transpired that night they wern’t effected. They think they know the city they grew up in they think if they don’t hear it from Dick it didn’t happen or isn’t like whats been reported on this blog for over a year.
Think Rowyaton think every house has an alarm system down to lawn mats and mailbox and driveway alarms while the rest of us are finding ways to add deadbolts and outside lights for security.
One guy leaves his house and comes back to having all his copper pipes stolen out of his basement on So mains st and no one saw it happen.
No we are living in fear and the one who are challenging what anyone says about safe streets are probably trying to sell their house or are participating in making the city something it won’t be for a while.
Well 16 and 17 which I am sure is from the same person…being one of the friendliest does not make them a good police department..the reason they are voted the most friendly is because they do not even enforce simple laws such as motor vehicle laws…hey everyone lovee the cop that doesn’t give them the speeding ticket….Also I don’t exactly consider your source of the Fairfield county advocate the voice of reason…Isn’t that the same paper that has the escort ads on the back page…Wow thats a real source..And as far as hating Moccia back in November, I suggest you re-read my post as I did not Mention Moccia….or maybe just maybe you read that in your favorite newspaper the Fairfield count advocate….any thinking person would realize that NPD is a joke
I challenge you to walk into any business in Norwalk and ask them how they feel about the Norwalk Police.
while your there ask them about the chief mayor and development offices .
We just had two full pages in the Hour depicting disapointment, challenges and stories about why some have left Sono. It was a great article asking some owners what they think of downtown and what needs to be done. Then the mayors words of wisdom was simply piss poor.
Why we didn’t see it on the blog after Rich spoke about his thoughts is beyond me. Planning a city while the other half that was built rots in crime and poor economic planning , its back to parking crime and no insight of the city officials.
Yes we had a former mayor speaking on his merits and the wait and see officials thinking it will heal when the country turns around.
Never did any business say the cops are a problem but downtown Sono is a drinking crowd on fri sat sunday nights the trouble is tremendous and out of control some nights.
Its interesting where did all the illegals and dayworkers go?
ATF ICE and FBI are welcome here anyday they have the resources to make the difference please everyone notice what a few days with officers who speak the language did for us.Its not the officers we have ist the management they are simply not effective and it has hsown for years.
Norwalk cops are great officers weeding out trouble and giving them decent direction for morale would be supporting them lip service doesn’t work for them anymore.
taxpayers pay more and change the management this will not change for us or our awesome cops. makes you wonder what if Harry got the job out of town and Dick lost.
Who would be our next chief? Who is going to be our next mayor?
#13 is right last huge drug bust and the last single bust was outside agencies.Yes it included Norwalk but for enforcemnt reasons we were all told most depts on the Norwalk police dept don’t work weekends.Read what the cops are saying not what you want to hear. Not many wanted Moccia but what choice did thay have the Dr or older than dirt?
be serious
Anyone wondering about how the city feels about it’s police department should take a drive past Collins Funeral Home on East Av.
#22 That is not a reflection of the police department, but a reflection of a very sad young man that was so mentally disturbed that he took his own life….So please don’t use this as a feeble attempt to make a non valid point.
I would expect as I saw when I was there a half hour ago marines paying their respect, A Westchester police cruiser the department that lent us a helicopter just arrived as I was leaving. There were numerous state troopers coming off the highway and others directing traffic in front of the home.I wouldn’t expect less from the service men and police men and woman as I stood there along side of all walks of life.
as #23 said don’t confuse the two we were there to pay respects there will be time to draw other thoughts but for now we pay our respect for a man brother or friend who while he was here did us all right.
The blogs above make it clear, nobody really cares what happened. Take a word and run with it. Suicide. Evidence suggests murder, but everyone is scared to look at what could have happened. I say could because I wasnt there. And neither was most of the witnesses that the news has reported, people just looking to get their 5mins. So when the police and the public are lying to the news media, and people on this web site use that info as a matter of fact, I must question common sense.
The next question is, if you dont care to know the truth then how can you say God bless this man or rest in peace. Shame shame!
There’s an awful lot of rambling here. WHAT evidence suggests murder? Are you saying now that the STATE medical examiner is either incompetent or lying?
Why did the body lay there for 13 hours with everyone to see, because the medical examiner was having a hard time coming up with an answer and requested more time. They had did give a yes or no answer, I dont blame the examiner, how many people put out the word suicide, leading the story. Wasnt CBS news the first to call it suicide, interesting because two of their witnesses listed werent in the area during the shooting. So really who knows what?
Hard to tell what evidence Bozak is talking about, but there was a witness who heard several,(4 or 5), shots, followed by a vehicle leaving at high speed. Have they now decided he was wrong.? One of the news stories had his name. Surely, in that area, he could not have been the only one who heard something. The advocate today says Officer Morelli was shot in the head, TWICE. If true, that is unheard of for a suicide. I hope they didn’t rush to a wrong judgement. Officer Morelli deserves better
Dear Captain the forensic expert. You must know that the AK-47 style weapon is a full automatic weapon that fires continously if the trigger is held down but can also fire shorter bursts, 2-5 shots depending on the trigger pressure or how you feather the trigger. And actually there have been several multiple shot suicides depending on the caliber and shot location. So lean back in your arm chair and keep solving cases. Maybe catch some Kojack or Cannon re-runs.
Does anyone know who the Employee Assistant Program is for Norwalk PD?
With the PD’s record of officer suicides it would appear that their EAP dropped the ball once again!
I have since heard that Officer Morelli gave away his animals in the weeks just prior to this. That suggests some planning for a suicide. The people who worked on this are experts. I am confident they considered a lot of information we will never hear about before concluding this was probably suicide.
29: Your sarcasm is unfortunate and contributes very little to a very serious discussion, although it may reveal more about you than was intended.
#30: EAP is an outside agency, and it doesn’t contact the employee in need; that isn’t how it works. Most often, the supervisor provides the information about EAP to the employee and does some encouraging, even arm twisting, to get the employee to go for counseling. It is up to the employee to go.
Exactly my point Captain, this case revolves around some weird circumstances. Which is exactly why the agencies involved are being very quiet. I cant blame them, but those who are claiming suicide are jumping to conclusions. Unless they are State Police or FBI, then maybe they would care to enlighten us.
Witnesses dont come forward easy, and I see little pressure to find one. Not one who just heard shots, everyone in that area claims to have heard shots. With about 20 to 30 people living in each of the houses in that neighborhood, someone saw something. And with most of them being scared of the police, you know, illegal aliens. Nobody cares too much when one of them dies, so why should they care about this. Just like if Officer Morelli were lets say Britney Spears, the world would demand a further investigation.
Well Captain were you not the one a few days ago basically saying no way it was a suicide??? If in fact this was a suicide and most would agree at this point thats what it was..This just shows the poor mental health of the Norwalk Police Department..They have had several suicides in the past,many arrests of officers,and many many civilian complaint in regards to officers behavior…Its time for change at the top..we need a professional from the outside to clean up this mess and to weed out the many many bad apples in this department.
No, I never said no way. Like a lot of people here, I was asking questions and hoping for some answer other than suicide. We still don’t know, and may never, everything the investigators know, and that’s OK. His death was a tragedy, his life defined devotion to duty and honor. The mental health of the dept. is impossible to know from a distance. I suspect it is no better or worse than most police depts across the country. It is a very challenging job and takes a toll on those that volunteer for it, and their families. Now it is time for healing. That will happen and they will continue to serve and protect while they recover.
Captain I have to disagree…first off you say volunteer for the job as if they are not getting paid…I know you are going to reply with thats not what you meant, but lets just be clear they are being paid and paid very well they are not volunteers…As far as the mental health of the department goes it is crystal clear that there are issues in this department, many more than the rest of country, which is evident by the amount of suicides and the amount of arrests and disciplinary actions of the officers….If the job is so challenging for these men and women, then we evidentially we have the wrong people in these positions…It very simple this is there job, if they can not handle it QUIT…There are people who can.
perhaps the questions that need to be answered are these:
1 who was officer Morelli to testafie against from the pd.
2 why was no back up available?? listen to the house screeming for someone to back him up!!!
#7 listen to the house screeming for someone to back him up!!!….explain
maybee someone should check out these facts!!!
1)no back up..listen to the tapes when the house is shouting for someone/anyone to back up Officer Morelli.
2)who was off Morelli supose to testafie against from the pd
3)Who did Morelli see in the parking lot?
4)look at your watch for 60 seconds! that is how long it took from the first call in until the second, yet he only got 10 feet from his car???
who was he tring to disarm??????????????
think about that for a while and then ask yourself if it was suicide or MURDER!!!!!!!!
wasn’t his backup the kid that just came on the dept? I’d hate to think he was also alone isn’t he 21 or 22? Just came out of school?
#30- The explanation for EAP is at this site. It is offered right now to all Fire and Police officers in the city. No one dropped the ball because it is offered to anyone who believes they need the services and are encouraged to use it. It is confidential and no one would know if an officers were using its services other than those who are priveledged to the information. It is designed to not intimidate but to help. You cannot force someone to seek counciling if they don’t want it. But the city has provided this for 2 years now.
http://www.eapconsultants.com/overview.php
#7 and #9…What is this house you keep talking about
Once again a police cruiser was the car seen speeding away after the shots were fired. I think the story is starting to tell itself.
If Officer Morelli was planning to commit suicide, why would he radio back to headquarters?
Why would he even get out of his car to do what he did?
Why not do it in the car.
Why was he 10 feet away from the car and not up against the car.
Why would he commit suicide while on duty?
If he was supposed to testify against other officers, I wonder if they will be questioned.
Some of the issues brought up are very disturbing and frightening. It was bad enough when we thought there was a cold blooded Cop killer onthe loose. But if what some of you are eluding to is true, it makes my blood run cold to think that perhaps someone who takes an oath to protect us, thinks they are above the law and can take another person’s life and get away with it.
Is t true that Officer Morelli was supposed to testify against a high ranking individual in a court case in the upcomng weeks?
Give it a rest! Geez, isn’t there anything else people can focus on here? Let the State finish their investigation and let them find the answers. It is rediculous to assume anything in a case like this and conspiracy theories just add to the turmoil. A man is dead folks! Can someone at lease give him a small amount of respect for serving Norwalk for 11 years, and serving his country. No one knows what was going on in his mind at the time so why speculate? Give it a break for a day or two. There are a whole lot of other things that we can focus our time on.
Volunteer is a word I use deliberately. Sure they get paid. Our military get paid, too. Do you doubt they volunteer? Police departments all over the country are having trouble finding qualified recruits. Some blame low pay, some blame the many challenges of the job. The high pay you hear about a few getting includes an awful lot of overtime. Talk to any cop’s family about the challenges. Look up the real salary numbers. Most young officers can’t afford to live in Norwalk. I hope the people who are still talking about murder are wrong. It sounds like the department brass is reasonably sure it was suicide.
As far as many more issues than other depts in the rest of the country, where are you getting your information? Although most departments try to avoid a lot of bad publicity, Norwalk looks pretty good when compared to others around the country. You should get solid information before making comparisons.
Sorry, MrBozak- but the facts do not support your claims-again.
Take your meds and go back to watching CSI. Leave the real investigations to the experts.
Oh Captain….Your comparison is not valid…would you call the clerk that works at Walmart a volunteer of course not…its her job, the same as a police officer, its there job not volunteer. Your comparison to the military is also not valid as police officers are not military… As far as the challenges of the job each and every job has challenges. If they find the job so challenging then maybe just maybe we have the wrong person in the job. Onto the pay issue, police officers are paid very well for there job with great benefits so I don’t see pay as an issue at all. If they are unhappy with the pay the answer is simple QUIT. Once again they get paid so get off the putting the cop on a pedestal. You mention overtime, what other job do you know of that you can double you salary and make 6 figures for setting in a city car watching a hole. I got to tell you I don’t feel officers should be allowed to work unlimited overtime because this make them unfit to work there regular shift, which Joe taxpayer is paying for. As far as finding problems getting new recruits, you must not be aware of the hundreds and in some cases thousands of individual that apply for a few open positions..Onto the departments brass you mention they are the main issue with the Norwalk Police Department..Hey just look at the Cummings case 2 lieutenants and one Sargent are bad apples just in that one case. Just off the top of my head I can count no less than 15 police officer who have major issues within the past 10 years both criminal and disciplinary. . So in closing captain I would suggest that you get solid information before making comparisons,as I have.
Captain your term of volunteer for the job of a police officer is inaccurate..The reason this term is used for the military is volunteer military vs forced Inscription (the draft). There is no force inscription (draft) for the job of police officer.