Tim Balas, a 15-year police veteran, died in 2015 at the age of 41.
A Phillipsburg police officer who died last year will be remembered in a ceremony at the end of National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.
A tree will be dedicated at Shappell Park honoring the service of Detective Tim Balas, who took his own life last year inside his Lopatcong Township home. He was 41.
A public invitation on the Phillipsburg police Facebook page says the dedication will be 5 to 6 p.m. Sept. 30.
On the night of Feb. 24, 2015, police were called to Balas' home by a concerned neighbor to check on the officer's welfare. When they eventually entered, Balas was found dead from a gunshot wound, stunning local authorities.
Balas was sworn in as a Phillipsburg police officer in December 1999. In 2001, he was recognized with other officers for his work in the July 2000 case that led to the arrest and conviction of of Kevin Justis in the stabbing death of 48-year-old Jeffery Slack on South Main Street.
His obituary said the Phillipsburg High School alum was a first baseman and catcher for Seton Hall University, from which he graduated in 1995, and had continued to play for the Sts. Philip and James School oldtimers softball league.
Children leave chalk messages on the street during Phillipsburg's 2016 National Night Out at Shappell Park. (Steve Novak | For lehighvalleylive.com) September 2016 is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
"Suicidal thoughts can affect anyone regardless of age, gender or background," according to the NAMI website. "In many cases the individuals, friends and families affected by suicide are left in dark, feeling shame or stigma that prevents talking openly about issues dealing with suicide."
NAMI says anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts should contact the national suicide hotline at 1-800-273 TALK (8255). Those looking for more information, referrals or support can call the NAMI help line at 800-950-NAMI (6264).
Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.