Jane was a sweet girl. Rest in peace.

From The Jersey Journal

A Jersey City police officer was found dead in her Bayonne home this morning as a result of what appears to have been a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, officials confirmed tonight.

"This is a difficult situation for the organization, but even more so for her family," Police Chief Tom Comey said of the death of Officer Jane Louf.

"The impact is deepened by the fact that I have known both father and daughter for many years and our thoughts and prayers will remain with the family throughout this painful time," Comey said, referring to the officer and her father, retired Jersey City Police Lt. Michael Louf.

Hudson County Prosecutor Edward DeFazio said the incident "does not appear to be a homicide" and the cause and manner of the officer's death will not be known until the preliminary report on the autopsy performed at the state Regional Medical Examiner's Office in Newark becomes available tomorrow.

Jane Louf attended a wedding last night and this morning her boyfriend, who is also a Jersey City police officer, became concerned when she could not be reached, DeFazio said.

The boyfriend and others went to Louf's home together this morning and found her body, DeFazio said.

Jane Louf was one of two officers on the Lincoln Highway Bridge on Christmas night 2005 when police officers Shawn Carson and Robert Nguyen drove off the lift bridge as they headed back to Jersey City after having delivered flares to Louf and a colleague.

Police said Louf chased after the Emergency Services Truck waving frantically to try to stop it.

The bridge has since been renamed in honor of Nguyen and Carson.

Louf was a police officer for nine years and she worked in the East District, Comey said, adding that she also worked for a period in the Narcotics Unit.

In March 2006, Louf was named "Irishwoman Policewoman of the Year" at the One Block Parade celebrating St. Patrick's Day outside the former P.J. Ryan's Pub on Marin Boulevard. Before she became a police officer, Louf worked as a bartender at the pub.

"We mourn the loss of a good officer and we will help the Louf family in any way we can during their time of need," Police Director Sam Jefferson said.