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Officer Suicide

Suicide is always preventable. If you are having thoughts of suicide or feeling suicidal, please call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline immediately at 800-273-8255. Counselors are also available to chat at www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org. Remember: You deserve to be supported, and it is never too late to seek help. Speak with someone today.

Why do some cops lose the will to live and what can we do to help them?
Grief and fear readily get transformed into anger when people are hurting
“We are now walking the path we need to walk for true suicide prevention.”
Mental Health
Twelve officers from police departments near where Officer Luca Sizemore grew up leapt into the water right behind Sizemore’s father and brother
Elmore County Sherriff’s Office Deputy Steven Earl Sims II, 43, was found in a cruiser after attending a training conference for most of the week
Sheriff Paul Blackman remembered Deputy Paul Robitaille as “a great employee with a great attitude” and vowed to assist Robitaille’s family and colleagues in coping with their sudden loss
Passaic County Sheriff Richard Berdnik was described as “an exemplary law enforcement leader”
For you leaders out there: It’s imperative that valuing mental health is not just lip service
Here are the signs to look for
“I am tired of the harassment of this village board and all the crap I’ve been dealing with throughout the years,” an officer said during a December board meeting
“The public is not safe,” Michele Atilano said. “All you have are a bunch of deputies who are zombies – zombies walking around tired, always tired. They’re not even there”
“During trying times like these it’s important for personnel, regardless of rank or position, to check on the well-being of other colleagues and friends” Sheriff Robert Luna said
The Irving Police Department and Irving Fire Department combined forces to offer EMDR therapy, an employee health clinic, wellness incentives and much more
“We are all in shock and saddened to our very core. Our hearts go out to the families of all those involved,” Sheriff Matt Gentry said
A personal journey through grief, guilt and the search for suicide prevention in law enforcement
The dark thoughts we hide can become lethal. But when these thoughts are brought into the light of day, we can openly evaluate them, and remember what keeps us in the fight
Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia wrote in a memo that Officer Bacon’s death is “a heartbreaking loss for our DPD family” and asked others to “never hesitate to reach out”
“They all liked him because he always kept them laughing,” said Fire Chief Willie Owens about the former firefighter and police recruit
If passed, the bill would make victims’ families eligible for a $100,000 survivors benefit
Responders found the 22-year-old officer inside his home and rushed him to a hospital, where he died a short time later
Police union representatives believe heavy workloads, canceled days off, and an anti-police climate are contributing factors to officers’ mental health concerns
How a retired police commander is changing the narrative of mental health and healing
An initial ruling stated Jerome Lannon was not killed in the line of duty, so his widow would not be awarded his death benefits
Capt. Fred Bobbitt died by suicide in February 2022; the family believes “inaction by city officials caused Bobbitt emotional distress”
Carlos Yanez, Jr. was wounded a year ago after being shot four times during a traffic stop
The department also has 15 peer counselors – with more to come
The Public Safety Officer Support Act supports first responders who experienced PTSD or died by suicide following exposure to certain traumatic events
Lori Lightfoot’s speech during a graduation and promotion ceremony was met with criticism from the PD, the city’s leaders and fallen officers’ family members
The CBS special, “Code Blue: Officers in crisis,” takes a deeper look at what the department can do to provide better mental health support for officers