Three New York City Police Department officers committed suicide in a little over a week, prompting Police Commissioner James O’Neill to declare a “mental health crisis.”
On Friday NYPD officer Mike Caddy, 29, was found in uniform dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in his car behind one of the city’s police precincts.
Deputy Chief Steven Silks was found last week in an unmarked police car dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Silks was just one month away from turning 63 and faced mandatory retirement because of his age. Less than 24 hours later, 58-year-old homicide detective Joseph Calabrese also fatally shot himself. His body was discovered near a beach after a sweeping search effort.
“In less than 10 days’ time, the NYPD has lost three of its own to suicide: a respected chief, an experienced detective, and — today … a promising, 29-year-old police officer with six years on the job,” O’Neill said in a statement Friday.
This is a mental-health crisis. And the NYPD & the law enforcement profession as a whole absolutely must take action. We must take care of each other; we must address this issue — now. Please take my statement below to heart & help yourself, your loved ones, & your colleagues. ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/urHuzIiiFb
— Commissioner O’Neill (@NYPDONeill) June 15, 2019
Mayor Bill de Blasio put out a statement following Caddy’s death urging police officers who are having trouble to seek help.
“You are not alone. Help is here. Reach out,” de Blasio said. “We are working with the Police Department to continue to put resources front and center, and that our officers have every possible support.”
Silks had 38 years of experience, Calabrese had 37, and Caddy had six. Over the past decade, 48 NYPD officers have killed themselves.
