Holly MatkinHackensack, NJ – Maywood Police Department (MPD) Sergeant Jason Liaban died last week after shooting himself at Hackensack University Medical Center.
Sources said the 39-year-old sergeant was in crisis on March 30 and confided in a police captain who then accompanied him to the facility’s emergency room, the Daily Voice reported.
Sgt. Liaban’s service weapon was collected before he went into a bathroom alone to change his clothing, according to a source with direct knowledge of the incident.
Because he was compliant and had come into the hospital voluntarily, he was given full privacy while he was in the bathroom, the Daily Voice reported.
Sgt. Liaban fatally shot himself inside the bathroom, according to the source.
Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella confirmed in a press release Thursday that Sgt. Liaban died of “a self-inflicted gunshot wound just after 2:30 a.m.”
“The death is not suspected to involve criminal activity, but the circumstances surrounding the death are being investigated,” Musella wrote. “We ask that the public provide Sergeant Liaban’s family, the Maywood Police Department, and the Bergen County law enforcement community privacy to grieve this sudden loss.”
The MPD and the Hackensack Police Department are handling the ongoing investigation with the assistance of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit.
“We are deeply saddened by this morning’s tragic event,” Hackensack University Medical Center told the Bergen Record in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the patient’s family and colleagues.”
Sgt. Liaban served the MPD for 15 years.
“He was a really good guy,” one of his close friends told the Daily Voice. “He was literally the model father, cop and family guy……We’re all so sad right now, and in shock.”
A former coworker said Sgt. Liaban was generous and always willing to help others.
“You won’t find a more outstanding guy, one who was willing to do anything for you,” the former colleague told the Daily Voice. “He was really down to earth… He had total respect for everybody, never had a bad word to say about anyone.”
The funeral for Sgt. Liaban was held on April 4.
The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office sends our deepest condolences to the family of Sergeant Jason Liaban and to our brothers and sisters of the Maywood Police Department. We will continue to honor his service. Rest in Peace. pic.twitter.com/z9oGOFLrnc
— BCPONJ (@BCPONJ) March 31, 2023
The Maywood School District is in mourning along with the community and men and women of the MPD over the tragic loss of Sergeant Liaban. Jason was an ardent supporter of the Maywood School District, its staff and students. We all respected him deeply.
May he rest in peace.— Maywood PRIDE (@MAYWOODSCHOOLS) March 30, 2023
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Maywood Police Department Sergeant Jason Liaban, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.
