“Heart of the LAPD Walk: We Stand Together"

'Nobody fights alone'
Angelus News
R.W. Dellinger
Sept. 20, 2018

At an LAPD event marking Suicide Prevention Month, new police chief Michel Moore opens up about the deadly threat facing officers away from the streets

LAPD Chief Michel Moore hugs Melissa Swailes, whose husband David committed suicide in 2016 after nearly 10 years on the force. (VICTOR ALEMÁN/ANGELUS)

“We pride ourselves at the Los Angeles Police Department in being a family, but sometimes we don’t take care of each other like a family,” Los Angeles Police Department Chief Michel Moore told fellow officers, civilian support staffers, and their families.

It was a little after 9 a.m., the cloudy haze almost burnt off on this September 9 Sunday morning at the department’s police academy in Elysian Park.

The city’s new chief of police and other speakers were on a raised black stage on the track ringing a grassy infield. And they were speaking before the start of “Heart of the LAPD Walk: We Stand Together,” a 5K walk in the name of suicide awareness and prevention.

“And yet we know we don’t. We train, act, and live as a team. No one fights alone. But yet why has it been in the last 20 years we’ve lost 16 officers in the line of duty but 36 to suicide?

“We have such an aversion at times asking for a backup because of what we just saw or something we’re experiencing here in the department or at home. We’ve got to talk about this as uncomfortable as some may feel. But we can do better. And I know we can,” he said.

Being a police officer in the U.S. is indeed a dangerous occupation. Last year, 129 died in the line of duty. Many more were seriously injured and disabled for life.
read more here

Same message being delivered on this site and PTSD Patrol! 

Minneapolis Afghanistan veteran "Soul Medic" for those who serve

'Soul Medic:' From the battlefield to Minnesota, a therapist continues to listen
Star Tribune
By Libor Jany
AUGUST 24, 2018

After years with military, therapist Resmaa Menakem works with Minneapolis police

“We don’t take care of police officers from a human point of view. A police officer will go from watching a baby getting killed, or domestic violence, to a hit-and-run where someone has a gaping wound. And no one is asking, ‘How are you doing?’” Resmaa Menakem

BRIAN PETERSON – STAR TRIBUNE
Resmaa Menakem last year started offering counseling services for the Minneapolis Police Department. He says every call an officer goes on can take a psychological toll.

It got so that he could spot what ailed them almost as soon as they walked through the door.

And each time, Resmaa Menakem, then a therapist working at U.S. military bases across Afghanistan, closed his office door and listened as combat-weary soldiers and civilian workers poured out their hurt.

Since moving to the Twin Cities, his work soothing tormented minds has continued. Only now, his clients include police officers, many of whom also suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Overseas, he heard about the constant rattle of insurgent gunfire and the makeshift bombs that regularly exploded in markets and outside restaurants and cafes. And he heard about what came next. Depression. Anxiety. Nightmares.

Here, he has continued to listen.

Over the years, more and more police agencies have come to recognize how officers are affected by trauma — not just from major emergencies like a mass shooting, but also the daily grind of responding to service calls. Now, many departments offer help for cops who are having difficulties.

In Minneapolis, Police Chief Medaria Arradondo has promised to transform the department’s culture “to realize that we recognize they’re not robots, they’re human beings.” Last year, the city received a $750,000 grant from the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), one of five U.S. cities chosen for a pilot program to “provide community outreach for collective healing and organization support for officer wellness.” And Mayor Jacob Frey recently proposed allocating $150,000 for counseling to help officers “process what they encounter in the line of duty and recalibrate between calls.”
read more here

Letting heroes die sunk us to a new low

When will we care enough to save those who save us?
Combat PTSD Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
August 21, 2018

If you think dropping the D from PTSD is a good idea, then it proves you really do not understand much. The "thing" that gave them PTSD in the first place, was a lot harder than dealing with a lousy letter.

If they have a problem with it, then we have a much bigger problem than anyone is aware of, because if the stigma ends up killing them, instead of the event itself, our shame has just sunk to a new low.

This may finally get you to understand that men and women, valued human life so much, they were willing to die to save others. They rushed into burning homes, to accidents, to disaster after disaster, yet the following lost their lives because of what all their efforts did to them.

Firefighters

81% of the firefighters feared they would be seen as weak according to an NBC survey.

December 2017
Crystal Murphy Navy veteran and Lacey firefighter

January 2018
Retired firefighter Thomas Schilling

March 2018

Tampa firefighter Steve LaDue

Firefighter Jesse Reed

April 2018
Dallas retired firefighter Michael Chambers 

Battalion Chief Erik Sutton

June 2018
Volunteer firefighter and police officer Mark Gehron

Ryne Kinsella 

July 2018
Captain Art Vazquez

Firefighter Peter D. Varnum

James Grundon, 55, was a firefighter and paramedic (murder-suicide)

August 2018
Captain Wayne Habell


LAW ENFORCEMENT

June
Lancaster City Police Officer Marc Gehron

July
Chicago Police Officer, shot himself in the parkinglot

August 2018
Officer Stewart Beasley


PARAMEDIC
May 2018
Tony Jenkins


Veterans committed public suicides

March 9, 2018
Yountville California
Veteran and hostages dead at PTSD program

March 12, 2018
Vietnam veteran committed suicide in Sheridan Police Department Parking lot after calling dispatch to let them know where he was.

March 23, 2018
Soldier dead after standoff at Aberdeen Proving Ground

March 23, 2018
Oklahoma
Air Force Veteran dead after police were called to help him.

March 26, 2018
St. Louis
62 year old veteran committed suicide in John Cochran VA Medical Center waiting room

April 3, 2018
Boynton Beach
Florida
76 year old Vietnam veteran committed suicide in Boynton City Hal parking lot. Not first time this happened. 

It happened last year in Amarillo Texas when a veteran shot himself in front of the VA hospital.

June 13, 2018
Fort Knox 
21 year old Private committed public suicide at Clarksville High School after he stole a gun.

June 19, 2018
Kansas
Vietnam veteran committed suicide at in the VA emergency room.

June 26 2018
Georgia
Navy Veteran set himself on fire in front of Georgia Capitol protesting the VA system. 

Not first time this happened. It also happened in New Jersey last year.

June 27, 2018
Norfolk Navy Yard
Sailor walked into helicopter blade, death ruled suicide.

July 10, 2018
Alabama
Air Force veteran shot family, and himself after setting house on fire.

July 14, 2018
Phoenix AZ
Veteran shot himself inside the VA Hospital Chapel 

Not the first times since it happened last year when a 33 year old veteran shot himself at the VA.

There are a lot more but, most of them do not have their names released. What you see in obituaries around the country are usually along the lines of "died suddenly" and it is the families right to keep it private.

What will never, ever, make any of this right, is for it keep happening without the national news paying attention to any of this.

At least now, the pubic has a chance to learn what we've been reading so far this year.

Orlando backed out of talks with Pulse responder?

Orlando backed out of settlement with officer suffering PTSD after Pulse, wife says
Orlando Sentinel
David Harris
August 7, 2018

The wife of a retired Orlando police officer diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder after the massacre at Pulse nightclub said the city has backed out of a proposed settlement in his workers’ compensation lawsuit.

Orlando Police officer Gerry Realin was part of the small hazmat team that was responsible for removing the bodies from Pulse nightclub. He now struggles with PTSD and blood pressure so high he was recently admitted to the hospital.

Gerry Realin was rendered permanently disabled after working on the team that removed bodies from Pulse after the attack in June 2016, which left him with PTSD according to the lawsuit.

He is suing the city and the Orlando Police Department in Orange County circuit court, claiming lost wages and medical benefits, as well as Occupational Safety and Health Administration violations.

His wife Jessica Realin said the parties met for mediation in June and came to a proposed settlement, but her attorney called her Monday to say the city backed out of the deal.

She declined to say what the settlement was.

“Gerry wanted to move on,” his wife said. “He felt like he wanted to be completely separated [from the city]. He didn’t feel like he could handle trial. I guess the city wants a trial.”
read more here

Boise Police Chief Bill Bones addressing need for PTSD help

A week after stabbings, his city gives Boise's police chief hope 'to create good out of horror'
Idaho Statesman
Katy Moeller
July 7, 2018

"One can imagine what it would be like for paramedics, firefighters and others to see the horrific injuries of these victims — these small young children," Murphy said in a phone interview from Seattle. "It may be more than a human being is meant to bear."

Boise Police Chief Bill Bones was visibly emotional during a press conference Sunday, July 1. "These are victims who in their past homes have fled violence from Syria, Iraq and Ethiopia," Bones said.
Meiying Wu

The emotional calluses of a 25-year career in law enforcement appeared to have been ripped away when Boise Police Chief Bill Bones stepped in front of the cameras at City Hall West on July 1.

The towering, soft-spoken chief choked back tears as he described the horror of the night before — an "evil" attack that left the largest number of victims in an incident in department history.

Nine people were stabbed, including six children, who were at or near a 3-year-old's birthday party at the Wylie Street Station Apartments just off State Street. All of the victims were members of refugee families from Syria, Iraq and Ethiopia.

"Obviously, I have cried during this event," Bones said a couple of days later in an interview at his office. "Thankfully, I was alone yesterday when I found out that we had lost our little girl — because she really is, in a part, she is a daughter of the entire community. She's a part of who we are."

"I have a department of people that got into this job, into this career, because they're here to take care of others, to help others. We try hard to get them to take care of themselves," he said. "None of us do the best job at that."read more here

PTSD Patrol Road Crew Needs You!

This is how we change the conversation from doom and gloom to the message of #TakeBackYourLife and heal PTSD. This is for everyone who has survived traumatic events...including me.

This is a BOGO...buy one and one will be given to a veteran or anyone who wants to join the road crew.

If you want to do a video, you get a shirt. Just link it to PTSD Patrol from your own cell phone or YouTube. It has to be positive and related to driving! Much like driving a car, we're trying to get the message across they can take control of the vehicle they live in.

If you want to just be able to open a conversation to let someone in need that you care, you get a T-shirt.

If you want to just get a T-shirt to support this cause, please donate $25 and then you get one and just bought one for the road crew.

Message me your address and the size you want. I'll send you my business cards so that you do not have to talk more than you are comfortable doing.

Also. PTSD Patrol is doing Sunday Morning Empowerment Zone videos. Be sure to check it out!

The money is going directly to my work under my tax exempt with Point Man.

PTSD help did not come for Officer Miguel Grijalva

Officer Down

As a dispatcher, the first signal you learn — 10-24 — is also the last one you ever want to use: officer down/officer needs assistance.

Just wondering why it is so easy to understand a wounded officer needs help as soon as possible for other things, but not for PTSD. 

Family sues City of Lompoc over police officer's suicide
KSBY News
By Matt Van Slyke
Posted: Apr 21, 2018

The lawsuit also alleges Officer Grijalva had been drinking excessively and cried for hours in his supervisors' office on multiple occasions but supervisors allowed him to continue working.

A year after Lompoc police officers began mourning the death of Officer Miguel Grijalva, his family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the City of Lompoc and high-ranking members of the Lompoc Police Department.

The lawsuit filed Friday in Santa Barbara County Superior Court claims the police department denied officers medical and psychological benefits and the lack of services ultimately lead to Grijalva's death.

Officer Grijalva reportedly took his own life while off duty. He had been with the department for three years. Prior to that, he served in the United States Marine Corps.
read more here

Stop stuffing what your service does to you

Stop stuffing what your service does to you
PTSD Patrol
Kathie Costos
March 20, 2018

If you made it your job to serve others, time to deal with it instead of stuffing it.

The only way to prevent PTSD is to stop all wars, crimes, fires, natural disasters and accidents. Think about that for a second. 

Now think about how you decided to make it your job...willingly putting your life on the line because all those things happen to people you don't even know.

Sure, you can understand when one of us has just been through something horrible and dealing with a lot. Why can't you understand when one of your own, or you, has to deal with a lot more because you face more of those times that could kill you?

While it may be difficult for the survivors, it is a lot hard for those we count on to help us become a survivor instead of victims.

Service members (including National Guard and Reservists) law enforcement, firefighters and emergency responders, face the same things the rest of us deal with but piled on top of that "everything else" are all the times you put your lives on the line. Even when you are not in an active situation, you are waiting for the next time. After all, that is what you get paid to do. Isn't it?


What you cannot forget, you stuff it to be able to just get on with your time off the job. The problem is, there is really no time you are totally off the job. You know when you are not on duty, someone else is.
read more here

Connecticut Police lose weapons if they seek help for PTSD? Seriously?

Police Seek Exemption From Gun Law For Mental Health Treatment
CT News Junkie
by Christine Stuart
Mar 8, 2018

The bill the officers are supporting would carve out an exemption for law enforcement and allow them to get their service weapon back even if they sought mental health treatment. At the moment, no matter who you are in Connecticut, if you voluntarily check yourself into an in-patient mental health facility you get your firearms taken away for six months.

HARTFORD, CT — Four. That’s the number of police officers in Connecticut who have taken their own lives over the past seven months.

And that’s only the number a group of law enforcement officers at the state Capitol Tuesday to testify knew about. There’s no data on police suicide collected by the state. The Federal Bureau of Investigations collections information about deaths in the line of duty, but not suicide.

James Rascati, a clinical Instructor in Psychiatry at Yale University, said he’s personally dealt with the suicides of seven officers over the past 15 years.

“It’s one of the most devastating events any law enforcement agency can experience,” Rascati said.

Ron Mercado, an officer from Bridgeport, said his department still struggles daily with the recent suicide of one of its officers on Dec. 4.

“It’s difficult to focus when you’re still thinking to yourself whether you could have gotten him some more help,” Mercado said. “It doesn’t get any easier.”

One of the barriers to treatment the officers are looking to the General Assembly this year to resolve was adopted as part of the landmark 2013 legislation banning assault weapons and large capacity magazines post-Sandy Hook.
read more here

Gov. Rick Scott to sign PTSD Benefits Bill for first responders

Gov. Rick Scott declared this day Florida Firefighters Appreciation Day and urged the community to thank first responders. Gov. Scott also announced he will sign a PTSD Benefits Bill. It's a continuation of the state's support of first responders and their families. It will ensure those firefighters suffering from PTSD will receive workers’ compensation benefits.

"It's a hidden killer in the profession. This benefit is needed so we ensure our firefighters don't have... their only option, our first responders don't look to suicide as the outlet to sort through the demons they deal with and these horrific images," said Chief Financial Officer, Jimmy Patronis. 
By: Erika Fernandez | WCTV Eyewitness News
March 7, 2018
read more here

PTSD Retired Police Officer and Veteran's Dogs Missing

Woman asks for help locating service dogs who assist her husband with PTSD
WMBF News
Friday, March 2nd 2018

CONWAY, SC (WMBF) – A Conway woman is asking for the public’s help in locating two lost service dogs that her husband relies on daily.

According to Tillman, her husband, Chris, is a retired police officer and Army veteran who suffers from severe post-traumatic stress disorder. The registered service dogs help him to feel secure, she said.

Anyone with information is asked to call Tillman at (843) 340-6611 day or night.
read more here

Veteran- Police Officer lost job because of PTSD

Ex-JPD lieutenant sues city for not accommodating his PTSD claim
Clarion Ledger
Jimmie E Gates
February 12, 2018

Post traumatic stress affects hundreds of thousands of veterans, 813,277 of whom have received disability compensation from the World War II era through 2015, according to the Dept. of Veterans Affairs. 

A former Jackson Police Department patrol lieutenant has filed a federal lawsuit against the city after he said the department wouldn't accommodate his post- traumatic stress disorder claim.

Lance Felton, a 21-year veteran of JPD, said he suffered from PTSD after he was part of an officer-involved shooting an April 2014 while attempting to arrest an armed robbery/aggravated assault suspect in Precinct 1. Felton was placed on administrative leave with pay until the outcome of an internal investigation, which is customary for an officer-involved shooting.

The internal investigation cleared him of any violations, Felton said.

The Clarion Ledger is awaiting a response from Jackson officials to the lawsuit. The lawsuit is filed against the city, former Chief Lee Vance, assistant Chief James Davis and Cmdr. Thaddeus Jones.

Vance couldn't be reached for comment.

Felton said JPD violated the Americans With Disabilities Act by not allowing him to return to work nor providing accommodations for him after discovering he suffered from PTSD.
read more here

PTSD: In the line of duty

One officer's struggle to recover from wounds seen and unseen
WAVE 3 News
By David Mattingly, Anchor/Reporter
Saturday, February 3rd 2018

Johnson said he has some simple advice for Detective Darrell Hyche, who was wounded on duty Thursday. "When you need help, ask for it," he said.

D'Shawn Johnson was shot in the line of duty on June 19, 1999. He says he lives with it everyday. (Source: WAVE 3 News)

LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) - WAVE 3 News Safety and Security Expert D'Shawn Johnson recalled vividly the night he was shot in the line of duty.

On patrol as a Louisville police officer, he stopped in the Portland neighborhood to break up a fight when shots rang out.

"It always stays in your mind," he said thoughtfully. "And you always mark that date, you know, when you could have lost your life."

In Johnson's case, it was June 19, 1999.

The bullet entered his upper arm, shattered the bone and lodged deep in his shoulder. He said there was so much blood, he thought his life was over.

He described sitting on the pavement in an alley, feeling angry that he would not be able to say goodbye to the people he loved.

"Thought about family, thought about friends. Basically that was it," he sighed.

Five surgeries and six months of metal rods protruding from his arm helped put Johnson's body back together. But there were also wounds he said he could not see.
read more here


LMPD Officer Darrell Hyche was struck in the head by a bullet during a drug sting. He was doing a job that almost cost him his life.

Judge Ruled Against Pulse Officer with PTSD? Seriously?

Ex-Orlando cop with PTSD gets suit against city denied by judge

My News 13

January 11, 2018

Former Orlando police officer and Pulse Nightclub shooting first responder Gerry Realin, who filed a lawsuit against his former employer, has been denied by a worker’s compensation judge. (File)

ORLANDO
A former Orlando police officer and Pulse Nightclub shooting first responder who filed a lawsuit against his former employer has been denied by a worker’s compensation judge. Judge Neal Pitts ruled against Gerry Realin in his case against the City of Orlando and the Orlando Police Department.

Realin developed PTSD after the shooting at Pulse Nightclub and claimed that OPD ignored safety procedures during cleanup of the incident.

Realin was part of a small Hazmat team who pulled bodies from the club for hours.
read more here

Police and PTSD "like your brain getting shot"

There is powerful, simple logic in this story of police officers supporting each other through the "in the line of duty" wound of PTSD. When an officer is shot, other police officers show up to visit, help in anyway that is needed and the wounded officer finds nothing to be ashamed of.

When they are wounded by what the job did to them, they need the same support but are reluctant to even ask for help. They sure as hell don't expect it.

The thing that keeps getting missed in all of this is that officers know what a traumatic event can do to survivors. They risk their lives to make sure there are more survivors than victims. They just have a hard time translating what responding does to them.

*******

Police and PTSD: Local cops counseling colleagues
lohud
Jordan Fenster
January 7, 2018

“They say it’s an illness, a disorder, cumulative stress disorder, post-traumatic distress — but it’s an actual injury, no different from being a cop and getting shot and having this disability now because of an injury. It's like your brain getting shot.” Matt Frank

Matt Frank was shot by a suspect during an interrogation. Later, laying in the hospital, the then-Mount Vernon Police detective had a revelation.

Severely injured, Frank was visited at his hospital bedside by groups of police officers, many of whom he had never met, “just to see if I needed anything or if my wife needed anything while I was there, if my son needed to be picked up from school,” he said.

His then-4-year-old son asked if Frank knew the officers from work.

“I tell him, ‘No I don't even know those guys,’ and he said, ‘Well, why would they do that?’ and I said, ‘Because we're police officers and that’s what we do for one another.’”

Before that shooting in 2010, Frank and a friend, Westchester County Police Officer Joe Krauss, had been holding what he calls “10-13 parties” — 10-13 is the police code for “officer needs immediate assistance” — intended as fundraising functions.

“We would raise money for police officers that were in need of that type of support,” he said.
read more here

*******

The other thing is, they need to get help now so that when it comes time to retire, they won't be hit with PTSD awakening and taking over.

This video is 9 years old. It addresses PTSD and retirement from The Badge of Life.
Andy OHara
Published on Nov 19, 2008
http://www.badgeoflife.com/ Badge of Life: The challenges faced by police officers when leaving a stressful career and entering retirement. Visit http://www.badgeoflife.com/ for free police suicide prevention videos and educational materials. Police retirement issues. Music: Kevin MacLeod

It is even worse for them if they were in the National Guard or Reserves. Facing the risk to their lives in combat, then back home, facing more risks gives them little time to heal.

Another Pulse First Responder With PTSD Mistreated

Pulse first responder suing Orlando police dept., city for $1 million

Officer says he was harassed over claims for PTSD treatment

By Mike Holfeld - Investigative Reporter

Posted: 5:16 PM, December 07, 2017

ORLANDO, Fla. - Pulse first responder and former Orlando police Officer Gerry Realin said Thursday that he will file a lawsuit against the city of Orlando and Orlando Police Department seeking damages for alleged violation of Florida's Workers' Compensation Law.

Maitland attorney Geoff Bichler, of the law offices Bichler, Oliver, Longo and Fox, told News 6 that Realin was harassed and intimidated by at least seven Orlando police employees including Chief John Mina.

Realin was part of the hazmat team assigned to remove the dead from Pulse Nightclub the morning after the deadly assault June 12, 2016. His doctor said he was unable to return to work at the department because of PTSD.

“We feel that the facts are very clear and compelling," Bichler said. “That there was harassment and retaliation almost from the time Mr. Realin came forward.”

In the lawsuit, Bichler included copies of texts and emails that he said will offer strong proof of the “intimidation tactics” used against Realin.

read more here

Pulse Heroic Officer Out of Job Because of PTSD?

UPDATE
Eatonville officer who saved victims during Pulse attack still losing job, but will get pension
By: WFTV Web Staff UPDATE

UPDATE

Community raises funds for Pulse first responder with PTSD who's losing jobPeople from across the world have raised more than $30,000 for a Pulse first responder with post-traumatic stress disorder who is being terminated by the Eatonville Police Department.  
Cpl. Omar Delgado was left with severe PTSD after being one of the first officers to respond to the mass shooting at the gay nightclub Pulse on June 12, 2016. The massacre left 49 people dead and more than 68 wounded, including survivor Angel Colón, whom Delgado dragged out of the club. read more here

What kind of a message does this send to First Responders across the country?

“I guess I’m being punished, because I did cry for help,” Delgado said.

What kind of message does this send to veterans with PTSD and the troops still afraid to speak up about needing help?

These are the same people who risk their lives for everyone else, and now they are still risking their own lives because they do not get the help they need when they need it!

After you read this story, maybe you can explain how this is still happening?

9 Investigates: Pulse hero let go from Eatonville Police Department

WFTV News
Karla Ray
December 4, 2017

“I was able to save Angel, and I wouldn't trade it for the world, but now I suffer through my agony,” Delgado told Ray about his Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

EATONVILLE, Fla. - 9 Investigates learned an Eatonville Police officer, who was called a hero after pulling Pulse survivor Angel Colon to safety during the June 2016 attack, is now being let go from his department. 

Investigative Reporter Karla Ray obtained a town resolution that is being voted on during an upcoming meeting, that would pay out some of officer Omar Delgado’s accrued sick time.  It states that his last day will be December 31.

No one from the town would comment on the reason for separation, but Delgado told 9 Investigates he believes he’s being pushed out due to his PTSD.  He admits that an evaluation showed he was unfit for duty, and the town will not allow him to stay on light duty.

Delgado has been with the department for nine and a half years, putting him just shy of the tenure he needs to receive retirement benefits from the town.
read more here

UPDATE
This story got to me and good time to remind folks what happens when they do not get help after taking care of us.

This is from yesterday,

BRIDGEPORT, CT — Police are investigating after a Bridgeport police officer is suspected to have committed suicide in Seaside Park, reports the Connecticut Post. There was a heavy police presence at the park for nearly two hours after a man was found unresponsive in his silver car with city of Bridgeport license plates.

And this is how 2017 started

Second cop commits suicide on Staten Island this month 

About two weeks ago, NYPD Officer Yong Yun — a former borough cop of the month...

Sgt. Freddy Dietz Jr., 53, had been with SAPD since 1983. He served as the city jailer when the SAPD had its own jail.

His father, Fred Dietz Sr., also was an SAPD officer, beginning in 1966 and retiring as a lieutenant in 1997. 

His father said he was struggling to understand the situation. He said his son loved being a police officer and helped a lot of people during his career.

*******

According to Karen Solomon, founder of Blue HELP, which raises awareness of officer suicide and advocates for mental health benefits, six police officers have died from suicide in Massachusetts in 2017. Another five Massachusetts officers died from suicide in 2016, compared with two killed in the line of duty.

*******

After Derek Fish finished his patrol last Friday afternoon, the sheriff’s deputy drove his cruiser to his department’s regional headquarters in Columbia, S.C., and parked in the back.It had, for all purposes, been a normal shift, Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott would later say.Fish had answered calls. Made an arrest. Written a report.“And then, for some unknown reason, he did what he did,” Lott said.Using his service weapon, Fish killed himself inside his patrol car.The deputy was 28. He didn’t leave a note.

******* 

An off-duty police officer fatally shot himself at his Queens home Sunday afternoon, police said.The 37-year-old male officer, whose name has not been released, was found dead before 3 p.m. at 113th Ave. by 205th St. in St. Albans, police said.Not including Sunday’s death, four active NYPD officers committed suicide this year, according to NYPD stats. 

In 2016, four officers and one school safety agent killed themselves.

******* 

A 47-year-old Chicago police officer was found dead Sunday in a possible suicide, two years after her sergeant husband appeared to take his own life under mysterious circumstances.Cops say Dina Markham was found by a family member in her bathtub on Sunday after taking pills, the Chicago Tribune reported. Her death is being investigated as a suicide.