Officials say a Jersey shore councilman and retired police officer died after shooting himself.
Police found John Lehnert on the front lawn of a Jackson Township home early Tuesday.
Deputy Chief Michael Mohel of the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office told the Asbury Park Press the Fair Haven councilman and retired Fair Haven police officer sustained a self-inflicted gunshot the chest. Mohel says a handgun was at the scene.
The 46-year-old retired from the police force in 2006 after serving 14 years. He injured his arm years earlier while arresting a suspect.
Lehnert was elected to the council in 2007 and was up for re-election.
The borough's website says the married father of two daughters was studying for a law degree at New York Law School.
It's not clear why Lehnert was in Jackson.
