Killing of Milford councilman outside PSE&G building ‘not politically connected’: police

FRANKLIN (Somerset) – A PSE&G employee, who was also a Republican borough councilman in the Hunterdon County community of Milford, was fatally shot Wednesday morning in the parking lot of the utility’s facility on Weston Canal Road.

And, according to the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, the suspected gunman was later found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in a parking lot in Bridgewater.

Russell D. Heller, 51, of Milford, was approached outside his vehicle in the PSE&G parking lot at about 7 a.m., by former PSE&G employee Gary T. Curtis, 58, of Washington, Warren County, who then shot him, Somerset County Prosecutor John McDonald said.

Heller was the intended target, McDonald said, and authorities are still trying to determine a motive.

The shooting was an isolated incident, the prosecutor said.

"Investigators with the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office along with Franklin Township Police continue to investigate the circumstances which led to the homicide shooting of Mr. Russell Heller yesterday in Franklin Township," Deputy Chief Frank Roman Jr. said in a statement Thursday. "Investigators have confirmed that Mr. Heller was a Republican Councilman for Milford Borough (Hunterdon County). The investigation has revealed that the shooting of Mr. Heller was not politically connected with his elected office or political affiliation."

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“We are heartbroken at the tragic death of Russell Heller, senior distribution supervisor at PSE&G. Russell was an admired employee and a supervisor with over 11 years of service with PSE&G. He will be sorely missed by all and our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time,” PSE&G said in a statement. “This event is tragic and disturbing and we are offering support to our employees as they process this. We are cooperating with law enforcement with respect to their investigation. Questions about the investigation should be directed to law enforcement.”

Detectives from the Franklin Township Police Department along with the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, the Crime Scene Investigations Unit and investigators from the New Jersey Northern Regional Medical Examiner’s Office went to the scene to conduct the investigation and determined that Curtis was the suspect.

Three hours later, detectives were able to track Curtis to the Bridgewater parking lot. With assistance from Bridgewater officers, detectives approached the vehicle and saw he had a self-inflicted gunshot wound, McDonald said.

Curtis was in possession of a gun, McDonald said.

In a statement Wednesday night, Hunterdon County Commissioner Director Zachary Rich said the Board joins its colleagues in Milford in offering its "sincere condolences to the Heller Family at this unimaginably difficult time for their tragic loss."

"On behalf of the Hunterdon County Board of Commissioners, we share in the collective shock and grief felt upon learning of Russell Heller’s senseless shooting death today," Rich said. "Russell was a dedicated and valuable member of the Milford and Hunterdon County community whose leadership and commitment will be sorely missed.More importantly, however, Russell was a loving and caring father to his daughter and a dedicated and loyal friend to all of those who had the pleasure of knowing him."

Rep. Tom Kean Jr. said he was "shocked and saddened by the tragic murder of Milford Councilman Russell Heller."

"Russell was an outstanding public servant who proudly represented the river town he loved," Kean said. "My prayers are with his family and the Milford community."

Authorities are asking anyone with information relating to the homicide to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Major Crimes Unit at 908-231-7100 or the Franklin Township Police Department at 732-873-5533 or via the STOPit app. Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports, and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.

email: cmakin@gannettnj.com

Cheryl Makin is an award-winning features and education reporter for MyCentralJersey.com, part of the USA Today Network. Contact: Cmakin@gannettnj.com or @CherylMakin. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: NJ councilman's killing outside PSE&G ‘not politically connected’