Ocean County Man Killed by SWAT was Award-Winning Retired Cop

An investigation continues into the fatal shooting of a retired NYPD officer in Ocean County on Saturday.

Acting Attorney General Christopher Porrino said Patrick Fennell, 57, was shot by the Ocean County Regional SWAT team in a wooded area around his home on Sycamore Drive in Little Egg Harbor Township after taking a handgun.

Fennell's wife reported her husband was behaving "in a strange manner" on Saturday and was in the basement, where weapons are stored, according to Porrino. Police saw Fennell leave the home with a handgun and spread out to keep Fennell contained to a wooded area, according to Porrino. The SWAT unit fired at Fennell, killing him.

Police did not say who fired first .

The NYPD Deputy Commissioner Public Information confirmed that Fennell was with the department from August, 1981 until his retirement in November, 2001. The DCPI would not provide information about his career with the NYPD, but Fennell's Facebook page said he was a detective lieutenant.

A newspaper clipping posted on Facebook indicates he won two Distinguished Duty Medals for his action in two incidents.

Friend Vito LaBella posted on Facebook Fennell had brain cancer.