Hamilton police officer’s funeral is Tuesday — How you can help his children

HAMILTON (Mercer) — The police officer who took his own life will be laid to rest on Tuesday.

The funeral for Officer Thomas White is scheduled for Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. at the Nottingham Ballroom of the Nottingham Fire Company. His wake will take place at the same place on Monday from noon until 3 p.m. and 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

White, 44, was found unconscious and unresponsive Monday with a gunshot wound to the head behind the wheel of his SUV on Nottingham Way. He was found about 3:10 p.m. after colliding with a white commercial van, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo Onofri said.

The driver of the van was not injured, Onofri said.

An autopsy concluded that White’s gunshot was self-inflicted. His death was ruled a suicide.

In lieu of flowers, the family asked for donations to a InMemoryOf.com page created to help establish a trust fund for his two children. He is also survived by his ex-wife.

White was a LEAD (Law Enforcement Against Drugs) officer in the department’s Educational Services at the Reynolds Middle School and was known as "Officer Friendly."  He was also active with Nottingham Little League, in which his son played.

"It's likely if you spent any time at the fields, you saw Tom there. He was a loving father, a supportive coach and a dedicated volunteer, all of which led him to spending more than his fair share of time at NLL," the League wrote on it's Facebook page.

White's death was the first of two in the Mercer County township this week. Hamilton West student Marty Barchue drowned Wednesday while swimming with friends at Rowan Lake. Mayor Kelly Yeade called the events of the week a challenge that will bring the community closer.

"While the events of this week have challenged us all, our community is comprised of compassionate citizens who illustrate their very best by being there for others in times of need. This week is certainly one of those times. As difficult as the coming days will be, I am confident that our community will pull together a bit tighter, remain stronger for each other and show our fellow neighbors even greater compassion as we continue to grieve together," Yeade said.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com.

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