Sister of NYPD Officer Who Died By Suicide Says She Repeatedly Asked Department for Help

The sister of an officer with the New York Police Department who died by suicide last week told CBS News that she repeatedly contacted the agency to warn of her brother's failing mental health.

Eileen Echeverria told the news station that she contacted the department six times in 10 years with concerns about her brother, most recently in June of this year.

In one email she wrote, "My brother was suicidal and homicidal. My brother is unraveling. He has serious financial stress. You have to help him."

She now says that the department failed to give him the assistance he needed.

Robert Echeverria died by suicide at the age of 56 in his Queens home on August 14.

Echeverria is the ninth officer to die by suicide this year.