NYPD Police Officer Dies by Suicide
by Kevin Caruso
August 14, 2004
A New York City police officer, whose name is not being released, was on duty
on August 13th when he walked into his station house in Brooklyn.
He then went down to the basement locker room, drew his service handgun, and shot himself in the head.
He was 24.
The officer had been with NYPD for two years.
He was probably suffering from depression or a similar mental illness, and probably did not seek treatment for the illness.
Police officers are highly reluctant to admit that they might have a mental illness, let alone seek treatment, because they to not want to be seen as week.
Yet it is extremely common for police officers to suffer from depression
And depression is not a weakness -- it is an illness -- just like cancer and diabetes are illnesses.
Untreated depression is the number one cause for suicide.
Depression can have many causes, and for law enforcement officers, the stress of the job
can be the cause.
If you are in law enforcement and believe that you may be depressed, please reach out for help.
Clearly, you will want to guard you privacy, so please proceed in the manner that would be best for you.
One option is to visit a doctor and therapist that are far from your home and department.
But regardless of how you proceed, you must get help. Period.
Please do not delay.
And always remember that if you are serving honorably as a law enforcement officer, you are a hero.
If you or someone you know is suicidal, please go to the Home Page of this website for immediate help.
Thank you.
I love you.
Take care,
Kevin Caruso
