The Chicago Police Department acknowledge a tragic start to 2019 as another officer reportedly took his own life.
Police News Affairs confirmed Tuesday the officer, who worked out of the 7th District, died by suicide
Sources told WGN the officer was found dead at his home. Sources said he had worked for the department for six years.
Superintendent Johnson said police chaplains and counselors with the employee assistance program have been on hand to talk with officers who need help.
Currently there are six chaplains and five clinical therapists on staff to serve more than 13,000 employees.
And according to the Department of Justice, the suicide rate in the Chicago Police Department is 60 percent higher than the national average due to the chronic gun violence and high murder rate exposing officers to a staggering amount of trauma.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to connect with a local crisis center. You can also text the Crisis Text Line by messaging TALK to 741741. Police officers can text the word BLUE to 741741.
