The tragic suicide death of Lt. Jeff Skuza Tuesday morning left Fargo police, his family and his friends grieving the loss of a veteran officer remembered as an accomplished worker and talented person.
Skuza’s death occurred when Skuza called emergency dispatchers at about 4:30 a.m., asking them to send police officers to Holy Cross Cemetery, south of the Wal-Mart at 3757 55th Ave. S., just outside city limits. Skuza was not on duty at the time, authorities said.
When officers arrived, they found Skuza lying on the ground with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
Paramedics were called to the cemetery, but they were unable to save Skuza, who died at the scene.
Cass County Sheriff’s Dept. is investigating the case.
Skuza, 47, is survived by his wife and two teenage children.
Skuza, who grew up in Becker and graduated from Becker High School in 1984, received a criminal justice degree from Minnesota State University Moorhead in 1988, according to city records.
He joined the Fargo Police Department as a patrol officer in October 1991 and was promoted to sergeant in January 2001. As a sergeant, he worked in the patrol, investigative and training divisions.
