N.Y. Officer Facing Drug Charges Apparently Kills Self

SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. —  A police officer who went into hiding when he was charged in a New York City police scandal was found dead Friday, apparently from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, authorities said.

The body of Brian O’Regan, 41, a 13-year veteran of the police force, was discovered by a maid in the officer’s room at the Southampton Motel in rural eastern Long Island, police said.

O’Regan apparently shot himself once in the head with a revolver that was not registered in his name, police said.

O’Regan and 12 other officers from Brooklyn’s 77th Precinct were charged with a variety of offenses linked to alleged shakedowns of drug dealers.

The charges included selling and stealing drugs, accepting bribes from drug dealers, selling guns, burglarizing an apartment and stealing cash and knives.

O’Regan did not appear Thursday for his arraignment with the 12 other officers. He faced a maximum penalty of life in prison, if convicted.

The New York City Police Department had issued an arrest warrant for O’Regan, who was charged with 82 counts, primarily drug violations, burglary and official misconduct.

A New York Newsday reporter interviewed O’Regan Wednesday night in a Queens diner and described him as looking like a soldier suffering from battle fatigue.