Widow: NYPD Sgt. Coerced Suicidal Cop Into Sex

An affair between an NYPD officer and his Queens sergeant that led to his suicide has spilled into the courtroom, after the officer's widow filed a lawsuit against the city, department, and sergeant.

In the lawsuit, Gina Schindler claims Officer Matthew Schindler was coerced into continuing an affair with Sgt. Christine Hirtzel. The widow claims Hirtzel threatened to give Officer Schindler an unfavorable assignment if he broke off the tryst, reports the Associated Press .

Schindler allegedly tried to break off the affair one final time, on Feb. 23, 2012. When Hirtzel refused, he became despondent, left the station, and killed himself with his service pistol.

Hirtzel has said Schindler committed suicide after she tried to break off a consensual affair. Hirtzel told DNAinfo.com  that Schindler told her he couldn't live without her.

Related:

Four NYPD Suicides In Four Weeks