LEWISTON, Maine — Lewiston Police are grieving after one of their officers, Nick Meserve, was found dead in his home Friday.
An autopsy has been performed on his body, but according to State Public Safety spokesman, Steve McCausland, the cause of his death had yet to be released, pending the results of some "additional testing."
Meserve was very involved in community events in Lewiston and beyond, helping organize the city's popular summer Movie Nights.
Lisa Bird, the director of public relations for Special Olympics Maine says Meserve was integral at that organization as well.
"His involvement goes way back before he ever became a police officer," she said.
Bird told NEWS CENTER Maine that Meserve's brother was a Special Olympics athlete and Meserve would often hand out awards at Special Olympics events across the date.
The news of the officer's passing is hitting athletes hard.
"We noticed it instantly just through social media alone," said Bird. "He reached so many Special Olympic athletes in the Lewiston-Auburn area. Immediately they were sending notes to us, to the Lewiston Police Department or to his family's Facebook pages, just letting them know how heartbroken they are."
Messages from Meserve's friends like Kassie Turner, reflect that heartbreak.
In a statement sent through Facebook, Turner called Officer Meserve, "the greatest, kindest, sweetest soul who would literally do anything for anyone."
Lewiston Police officers did not wish to comment further on Meserve's death on Monday but did say they have been meeting with his family and funeral arrangements have yet to be made.