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The body of Detective Sergio Mella was the one that neighbors told Daily Voice was removed from the Grandview Avenue home after a Passaic County SWAT team forced its way in, county Prosecutor Camelia Valdes confirmed in a statement.
No one else was home at the time, the prosecutor said.
Valdes released this statement:
"It is with a very heavy heart that the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office mourns the passing of Detective Sergio Mella, a veteran of the office since 2007.
"Yesterday at approximately 6:00 p.m, Woodland Park Police Department arrived at Detective Mella’s residence after receiving information that he was in distress. Woodland Park Police Department and members of the Passaic County SWAT Team unsuccessfully negotiated with Detective Mella. Upon entering the residence,
"Detective Mella was found with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gun-shot wound from his service weapon. There were no other persons present or injured.
"The matter remains under investigation by the Medical Examiner."
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