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Off-Duty Officer Shoots Self After Stop, Pursuit

EASTON, Md. (AP) -- Maryland State Police say an off-duty Montgomery County police officer fatally shot himself after a
trooper stopped him for speeding and suspicion of driving under the influence.

Police say a trooper stopped Jed Bylsma, 30, of Gettysburg, Pa., on Route 50 near Easton around 1:30 a.m. Monday for speeding and noticed signs that the driver, who identified himself as a county officer, was under the influence. While the trooper returned to his cruiser, police say Bylsma took off.

Bylsma's Nissan struck stop sticks near Airport Road and rolled to a stop and troopers found Bylsma with a gunshot wound to his head and a gun by his hand. Emergency care was provided, but Bylsma was dead. His body was taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for autopsy.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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