Remembering Sayreville Officer Kurtz: How you can help

As friends, family and coworkers mourn the loss of local police detective Matthew Kurtz, many people in the Sayreville community and elsewhere are looking for ways to help ease the family's burden and offer condolences.

Authorities say the 34-year-old police detective took his own life Monday, leaving behind a wife and two children. His body was discovered inside his own car next to the former Amboy Multiplex theater on Route 9 in Sayreville on Monday morning. He had suffered at least one gunshot wound. Police confirmed Tuesday that the wound was self-inflicted. He will be laid to rest Thursday.

After learning about his death, a group of Kurtz's closest friends decided to establish the Kurtz Family Assistance Fun through a GoFundMe page in order to raise funds to help his widow and children.

“We all decided to put the page together when we first met up after hearing the news,” Dennis Wolfe, a friend of Kurtz for more than 25 years, told NJ 101.5 Tuesday. “We felt helpless and really wanted to try and show how much Matt really meant to us all. We also wanted to try and give the same opportunity the entire community. The response so far has been amazing.”

As of Wednesday, the page had raised more than $51,000 and has been shared nearly 3,000 times on social media. The goal of the fund is $75,000.

In addition, the family has said that in lieu of flowers, those who wish to help can make donations to the Sayreville Association for Brain Injured Children 251 Jernee Mill Road, Sayreville N.J. 08872. The association, which was founded in 1968, is a nonprofit organization that runs a day camp  in the summer and during the school year for children with disabilities such as ADD and autism.

Following his death dozens of condolences were left on a NJ 101.5 Facebook post about the detective's death and how he was remembered by his closest friends.

"My prayers & condolences to the Krutz family! This is a sad time for our community," Karli Soboczynski said.

"Prayers to the Kurtz family and may Matt RIP. Mental health does not discriminate," Kathy Mulcahy Letts said.

"To all my brother and sister firefighters, police officers, ems workers and military personnel if you are feeling depressed please reach out for help most folks don't see the horror we see and juggle family issues, call a doctor, department chaplain or colleague. RIP Detective condolences to his family and the SPD," Ray Milne commented.

"Sending my condolences to the family. Focus on good times and wonderful memories. He is a peace," Lisa Powell-Barr commented.

A wake for Kurtz will take place Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Maliszewski Memorial Home, 121 Main St., Sayreville, the obituary states. A funeral is scheduled for Thursday at 11 a.m. at Saint Mary’s R.C. Church in South Amboy with burial to follow at Saint Mary’s Cemetery, South Amboy.

Where to turn if YOU need help

For law enforcement officers and those who are coping with job-related stress, the NJ State Fraternal Order of Police offers COP 2 COP, a free and confidential 24-hour telephone HelpLine "exclusively for law enforcement officers and their families to help deal with personal or job related stress and behavioral healthcare issues." The number to call for help is 866-COP-2COP (267-2267).

In addition, a Critical Incident Stress Management Team offers trained, volunteer peer counselors who are available to help the law enforcement community cope with crisis situations and related stress. They can be reached at 609-780-7700.

Toniann Antonelli can be reached at toniann.antonelli@townsquaremedia.com, or on Twitter @ToniRadio1015.