An 11-year Norwalk police veteran likely took his own life with a gun, Police Chief Harry Rilling said Tuesday during a news conference.

Matthew Morelli, 38, was found dead behind a South Norwalk parking lot on Lebrano Avenue early Friday morning. Police say Morelli had called dispatch to say that he was investigating suspicious activity. The shooting launched a manhunt that now appears to have been in vain.According to officials, officers who arrived at the scene found Morelli's service pistol and an AK-47 near his body. Authorities are not saying whether the AK-47 belonged to Morelli or how many shots were fired.

Rilling spent Tuesday morning talking to Morelli's family and going over a medical examiner's report. He believes Morelli should be honored no matter how he died.

"He served us well for 11 years with the uniform on every day," Rilling said. "Because he served, the city is safer and the city is better. We can't take that away from Officer Morelli."

Morelli, who leaves behind a 6-year-old daughter, will be buried with full honors. The funeral service is Thursday, March 27 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Matthew's Church on Scribner Avenue in Norwalk.For Rilling's news conference, go to Channel 612 on your iO digital cable box and select iO Extra.