By JOHN CHRISTOFFERSEN
Associated Press Writer

NORWALK, Conn. (AP) _ The gunshot wound that killed veteran Norwalk police Officer Matthew Morelli was probably self-inflicted, police said Tuesday.

Morelli, 38, was found dead early Friday in a secluded parking lot in south Norwalk after telling dispatchers he was investigating suspicious activity.

The death sparked a manhunt that involved helicopters, police dogs and officers from several departments.

Norwalk Police Chief Harry Rilling said at a press conference Tuesday that forensic evidence indicated a ``high degree of probability'' that Morelli died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, though investigators can't yet be 100 percent sure.

``There are still a few things that need to happen before we can get to that point,'' he said. ``Officer Morelli was a highly decorated Marine. He was a decorated member of this department and he is entitled to nothing less. We will ensure that we do everything possible to bring this to some sort of conclusion one way or the other.''

An 11-year veteran of the department, Morelli had been a volunteer firefighter and emergency medical technician, and had been a Marine intelligence analyst before joining the police force. Divorced, with one child, Morelli lived on a small farm in Oxford.

``Matt had a heart as big as the outdoors and he loved his farm and his animals,'' his family said in a statement. ``He adored and loved his family above himself, most especially his precious daughter Sydney Anne.''

The Advocate of Stamford reported that some investigators believed Morelli was depressed because his ex-wife moved with their 6-year-old daughter to Australia.

A wake will be Wednesday at St. Matthew's Church in Norwalk. A funeral with full military honors will be Thursday. Police say a trust fund has been set up for donations to benefit Morelli's daughter.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)