PATERSON A Passaic County sheriff’s officer reported that he was attacked and had his gun stolen by three suspects wearing ski masks Thursday afternoon, police said. The officer, who was not identified, sustained minor injuries and was taken to a hospital, where he was expected to be released Thursday night, said Bill Maer, a spokesman for the sheriff’s department. Authorities were seeking three suspects who boxed the officer in with two vehicles, overpowered him and took his service weapon, Maer said. Shots were fired during the incident, but it was not immediately clear whether the suspects fired at the officer, or vice versa, Maer said. The officer was on duty in an unmarked vehicle near Route 80 and Kentucky Avenue at about 2 p.m. when the attack occurred. About two hours later, a specially trained dog found the weapon nearby, where it had apparently been discarded, Maer said. The incident is being investigated by the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office.