Video: More Officers Dying From Suicide Than Duty Deaths in 2017

A study by the Newton-based Ruderman Family Foundation found police officers and firefighters experience PTSD and depression at rates five times higher than the average public.

May 23, 2018

A study found police officers and firefighters experience PTSD and depression at rates five times higher than the average public. (Photo: Fox 25 Boston screenshot)

VIDEO: More Officers Dying From Suicide Than Duty Deaths in 2017

After extensive research, a study by the Newton-based Ruderman Family Foundation found police officers and firefighters experience PTSD and depression at rates five times higher than the average public.

Researchers found 140 police officers committed suicide last year. By comparison, 129 police officers died in the line of duty, reports Boston 25 News.

"It's so deeply ingrained that they're the fixers and they don't need to be fixed," says Janice McCarthy, whose husband Capt. Paul McCarthy of the Massachusetts State Police suffered from PTSD and took his life in 2006. "That's a myth. Everyone needs to be fixed."

Editorial

375x480 Data Driven Policing Cover Thumbnail 1195772168 En Na Final Sept23 (1)

Data-Driven Policing: Leveraging Telematics for Optimized Police Fleet Performance

Banner Final Skydio X10 Outdoor Shipping Yard

DFR at Work: OKCPD’s Drones Help Find Six Missing Persons

Banner Final Faro 10 15 24

Who Did It? Unraveling Mysteries with 3D Forensic Technology

Gov Public Perception

How Fleet Management Technology Can Help Control Costs and Improve Public Perception

Tampa Officers Evacuate 15 People from Tree-Damaged House During Hurricane Milton

Officers were able to get all occupants out of the home safely. They were transported to the closest shelter. One officer took the time to ensure the main power to the home was turned off before leaving.

Tampa Screenshot 2024 10 10 171752

Hurricane-Spawned Tornado Destroys Florida Agency’s Vehicle Storage Building

St. Lucie County Sheriff Keith Pearson said on a Facebook livestream the facility was a 10,000 square-foot vehicle storage facility that was destroyed in a matter of seconds by what he called a "devastating tornado."

A tornado that was spawned by Hurrican Milton Wednesday destroyed a St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office storage building.

Florida Trooper Rescues Dog Left to Die in Hurricane

A trooper walked toward the dog, who was tied to a fence and standing in a deep puddle that reached the animal’s stomach. The dog growled but the trooper managed to untie him and took him to safety.

A Florida trooper found a dog tied to a fence in rising water just before Hurricane Milton hit the region.

National Park Service Law Enforcement Ranger Drowns on Duty in Minnesota Lake

“Ranger Grossheim responded Sunday morning to a distress call from park visitors near Birch Cove Island. After taking a family of three aboard his National Park Service boat, the vessel overturned amid high winds and rough waters," NPS said.

National Park Service Ranger Kevin Grossheim died Sunday while trying to rescue a family in distress on a Minnesota lake. His boat capsized in rough waters. The family was rescued but Grossheim drowned.

Ferguson Officer Injured During August Protest Remains Unconscious, Family Encouraged by Progress

The man accused of shoving Brown, was indicted by a grand jury on Sept. 4 with first-degree assault in connection to a day of protesting to mark the 10th anniversary of Michael Brown's death.

Ferguson (Missouri) Police Officer Travis Brown suffered a brain injury when he was attacked during an August protest. He is medically unconscious but doctors are now weaning him off sedation.

Thousands of Texans Complain to FCC Over Early Morning Alarms on Their Phones After Shooting of Small Town Chief

The FCC says it’s received about 4,500 consumer complaints about the Texas Blue Alert as of Monday morning.

NYPD Sergeants’ Union Says Many Lower Ranking Officers Make More Money

“They feel as if they’ve been abandoned,” said SBA President Vincent Vallelong of the 1,243 sergeants currently making less than about 18,000 police officers.

Off-Duty Atlanta Officer Fatally Shot While Apparently Breaking into Home

According to deputies, after off-duty Investigator Aubree Horton entered the home, the homeowner opened fire, fatally shooting him. Investigators are treating the incident as an act of self-defense.

Atlanta Police Investigator Aubree Horton was shot and killed Friday. The off-duty officer was reportedly breaking into a home in his neighborhood. Officials believe he may have been under the influence of narcotics.

Illinois Man Killed After Opening Fire on Officers at End of Pursuit

Dashcam video from the scene shows the suspect, identified by authorities as Nicholas Novak, exited the vehicle with a shotgun, opened fire at a deputy from the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office and a Plano officer.

Screen shot from video jointly released by the Plano Police Department and Kendall County Sheriff's Office shows the suspect pointing shotgun at a deputy.

California Officer Stabbed, Suspect Killed Outside Station

The suspect produced a large knife and "unexpectedly and without warning" attacked the officer. "The officer retreated, backed away, drew his sidearm and went around the corner of the building.

3 Former Memphis Officers Convicted of Civil Rights Violations in Tyre Nichols Case

At the trial, which began Sept. 9, defense lawyers argued that it was a high-risk traffic stop and officers acted within MPD policy after Nichols ran a red light and failed to stop when pursued by police.

Texas Deputy Dies After Crashing Into Concrete Barrier

Wise County Sheriff's Deputy Lex Love, 26, was responding to the scene of a nearby crash at about 8:02 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 2 on County Road 4421 when he crashed into a concrete barrier.

Deputy Lex Love of the Wise County (Texas) Sheriff's Office was killed Wednesday night in a single vehicle, on-duty accident.

Page 1 of 2379