Norwalk police officer Kenneth Cerulli was found dead in his Blackstone Drive home Tuesday evening of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, said Norwalk Police Chief Thomas Kulhawik.
Cerulli was found in his bedroom and was pronounced dead at the scene, Kulhawik said in a news release issued Wednesday afternoon.
Officers were dispatched to Cerulli's East Norwalk home after his wife, Jennifer, called 911 to report his death.
He was off-duty and his department issued pistol was not involved, Kulhawik said.
“Ken was a professional and dedicated officer. He always carried himself in a very dignified manner and represented the department in the highest standard," Kulhawik said. "Although only a member of the department for a short time he was well liked by all and we are all saddened by his sudden and tragic loss. We offer our deepest condolences to his wife Jennifer and their family."
Kulhawik said Cerulli was a lifelong Norwalk resident who graduated from Norwalk High School and Norwalk Community College. He obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Western Connecticut State University in 1994, Kulhawik said.
Ken was an avid boater and during the summer of 2012 he served in the department’s Marine Unit patrolling Long Island Sound, Kulhawik said. He was recently commended for his work in rescuing a boat and boater who had run aground.
An autopsy at the Chief Medical Examiner's office in Farmington was scheduled to occur Wednesday.
Funeral arrangements have not been announced.
