NORWALK, Conn. -- Norwalk police Officer Matthew Morelli saw something he thought was suspicious 26 minutes after midnight Friday. Within minutes, fellow officers found him shot dead on a South Norwalk street.

Somber with grief, police officials unveiled later in the afternoon a photo of Morelli that dated back to his active combat service as a U.S. Marine. Morelli's death marks the deparment's first officer killed in the line of duty in 26 years.

"Today is a tragic day in this story of the Norwalk Police Department," Norwalk police Lt. Paul Resnick said.

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Officer Remembered: In Pictures

Gunfire struck and killed Morelli, 38, as he stepped out of his cruiser at 1 Lubrano Place at about 12:26 a.m. to respond to suspicious activity.

"He did not elaborate what that suspicious activity was," Resnick said. According to the police log obtained by Eyewitness News, a suspicious person was reported at 2 Lubrano Place.

"The officer had stepped out to investigate suspicious activity in the parking lot at the rear of the place," Resnick said. "Additional officers responded as backup and found the officer shot and killed."

Norwalk Police Chief Harry Rilling said Friday morning that Morelli broadcasted over the radio that he was stepping out of his cruiser.

"Shortly after that we heard another broadcast, but then nothing after that," Rilling said. Police declined to specify what was said.

Police said officers responded to the scene within one minute of Morelli's last broadcast. Morelli was pronounced dead at the scene.

Channel 3 Eyewitness News reporter Len Besthoff reported at least one person fled the area on foot. Police did not immediately report how many people officers were searching for. Police union president Bill Curwen said having a suspect still at large made the situation more difficult.

"Nobody knows what really happened at this point," he said. "The not knowing is what's eating a hole in everybody."

"I would not say we're at a dead end. I think that's a mischaracterization," Resnick said. "I think we have an excellent team of officers and investigators working on this case, and they're looking at all possibilties."

Channel 3 Eyewitness News reporter Jessica Schneider reported the shooting prompted a large presence of police officers armed with rifles and K-9 units at the scene, which is described a commercial dead-end street with few residences nearby.

The Hour Newspaper Norwalk Police Officer Matthew Morelli "Officer Morelli served with pride and distinction." - Norwalk Police Chief Harry Rilling

Officials recovered weapons -- including the officer's gun -- at the scene. It's unknown what may led up to the shooting.

City fire officials assisted in cordoning off the scene using special equipment as state police and Westchester County, N.Y., authorities provided assistance.

If you have any information regarding the investigation, contact the Norwalk Police Department's dedicated telephone tip line by dialing 203-854-3111, or by fax by dialing 203-854-3006.

Chief: Officer Served With Pride, Distinction

The 11-year veteran's death marks the city's fifth police officer killed in the line of duty.

"It's a shock and tragedy anytime you have an officer killed in the line of duty," Rilling said. "Officer Morelli served with pride and distinction."

"I think a lot of officers were close to Matt," Resnick said. "I think he was a good man. I think he had a lot of friends here, and we'll miss him deeply."

Norwalk Mayor Richard Moccia met with Morelli's family Friday to offer condolences.

"I received the call that no mayor wants to receive," he said. "This type of loss is never easy to fathom."

Morelli served in the Marine Corps until 1996. He worked as an intelligence analyst and was also a combat veteran, Rilling said.

Shortly after 1 p.m., Morelli's body was taken to the Office of State Medical Examiner in Farmington for a complete autopsy, Resnick said. Shortly thereafter, Morelli's squad car was towed to state police Troop G in Bridgeport.

Person Seen Fleeing; Residents Startled

"Additional officers responded as backup and found the officer shot and killed." - Lt. Paul Resnick Norwalk Police Department

A witness who recently moved to the neighborhood and was out walking his dog Friday morning, said a helicopter woke his mother. An aviation unit from the New York City Police Department responded to the scene.

"It's terrifying," said Leo Ramos, of Norwalk. "To know a cop got shot around the corner from me is a little scary."

Frank Spezzano lives two blocks from the scene of the shooting. He woke up Friday morning to the sound of police helicopters overhead.

"This is really scary," he said. "This neighborhood has been changing for the better and it's really sad. I've lived here 2½ years, and it has changed for the better. This is just so scary."

Angela Cappabianca, 21, another recent arrival, said officers had questioned everyone in the neighborhood.

"I've heard it's kind of not safe around here," she said. "To know a cop was shot around here makes me kind of nervous."

While many people on Lexington Avenue said they shocked by the shooting, Elizabeth Lopez, the owner of a neighborhood grocery store said she isn't surprised. She said she has seen shootings and violence in the past.

"It's scary and you've been wondering, what are they going through? What's happening? Because this really is a quiet town," Lopez said.

Community Reacts To Shooting

"It's terrifying. To know a cop got shot around the corner from me is a little scary." - Leo Ramos Norwalk resident

The police chief said that he had received the condolences of the governor as well as many of Connecticut's citizens.

Teenagers have dedicated their worship at the Christ Episcopal Church in East Norwalk Friday night in memory of Morelli.

Officials lowered flags at Police Department headquarters to half-staff by 6:30 a.m., and some officers wore black ribbons around their badges. Flowers started arriving at the police station soon after news of the shooting spread.

"It just saddened me because I know that's someone's son, someone's husband, someone's father, and it's just so sad," said Jesse Pirro, of Norwalk.

"We have had a tremendous showing of support from our local community, from our business leaders, to our community leaders, to our citizens. It has truly been heart-rendering. We want to say thank you," Resnick said.

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