A longtime Poughkeepsie-area firefighter fatally shot his wife at their Plattekill home Friday before taking his own life, according to the Ulster County Sheriff's Office.
James "Jimmy" Brugger, 66, and Melinda "Mindy" Brugger, 54, were found dead at their home on Milton Turnpike shortly before midnight Aug. 21.
Deputies, New York State Police and Town of Plattekill police responded to the home around 11:42 p.m. after a family member and the family member's friend found the couple unconscious and unresponsive and called 911.
Emergency medical personnel determined both were dead at the scene, the Sheriff's Office said.
During the investigation, detectives found evidence that someone had attempted to conceal and tamper with items at the home.
Investigators determined that James Brugger shot Melinda Brugger multiple times before tampering with and removing evidence from the residence, authorities said. He then fatally shot himself.
The Sheriff's Office said the motive appeared to stem from unresolved domestic issues.
The couple were longtime members of the Ulster County first responder community.
James Brugger served as a lieutenant with the City of Poughkeepsie Fire Department and as chief of the Plattekill Fire Department. He was a longtime firefighter and fire instructor.
Melinda Brugger was an EMT and CPR instructor with the Westchester Medical Center network, according to the Ulster EMS Council.
The couple's deaths have prompted condolences from local first responder agencies and officials.
The Ulster County Sheriff's Office extended its condolences to the family, HealthAlliance Hospital, the City of Poughkeepsie Fire Department, Plattekill Fire Department, Milton Fire Department and the broader first responder community.
The investigation included the Ulster County Medical Examiner's Office, New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Forensic Identification Unit and Major Crimes Unit, as well as the Orange County Sheriff's Office K-9 Unit, Town of Plattekill Police Department and Ulster County District Attorney's Office.
Investigators conducted an extensive examination of the home and surrounding property to establish what happened, the Sheriff's Office said.
The Sheriff's Office said it would not provide additional comment or respond to requests for information about the investigation out of respect for the family and to protect their privacy.
Contributing: New York Connect reporter Alexandra Rivera
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Ulster County firefighter killed wife before dying by suicide, authorities say