Thankfully, a 19-year-old man has been arrested for what prosecutors said was the “execution-style” killing of a Lakewood, New Jersey, police officer. Jahmell Crockam was in custody following an arrest overnight, said Thomas Hayes of the Ocean County, New Jersey, Prosecutor’s Office. Authorities scheduled a news conference later Sunday morning to provide more details of the arrest. Read more after the jump!!
(CNN)–Police on Saturday said they were seeking Crockam in the Friday afternoon death of officer Christopher Matlosz, 27. Ocean County Prosecutor Marlene Lynch Ford said Saturday that Matlosz in his patrol car had pulled up next to a man on foot, and was talking with him while still in the car.
“The individual stepped back suddenly, pulled out a handgun and shot the officer three times,” Ford said. “The officer’s weapon was still in his holster. That is how quickly it happened.”
Crockam is charged with murder and illegal possession of a firearm, Ford said Saturday. A judge set bail yesterday at $5 million cash in anticipation of his arrest, Hayes said.
About $117,000 in reward money was available for information leading to the suspect’s arrest.
“What was a routine stop, what was a routine conversation … suddenly turned deadly,” Ford said. “And I think that indicates the danger that this person presents to the public.”
Police were still determining Saturday whether Matlosz knew the suspect and what the two were discussing when the shooting occurred. Witnesses have told police that the exchange between the officer and the gunman appeared calm before the shooting.
Lakewood police and other authorities immediately launched a manhunt for the gunman, said Lakewood Police Chief Robert Lawson.
“He was one of our most popular officers. He was dedicated to his job,” Lawson said of Matlosz. “He was the best of us.”
Matlosz had worked for the police department for more than four years and was engaged to be married.
In a statement released by the police department Saturday night, his fiancee, Kelly Walsifer, said Matlosz was “my best friend and soul mate. … In the last four years, we both lived our life to the fullest. He was my life and my world. He made me laugh, he made others laugh and we have been surrounded by the best of friends and coworkers throughout our time together.”
Walsifer said Matlosz had just lost his father, “and now it brings me some peace to know that he is with him.”
