News: NYPD Cop Commits Suicide In Front of Girlfriend
(Long Island, N.Y.) A twenty-nine-year-old New York City police officer shot himself in the head this week after allegedly arguing with his girlfriend. The officer was on duty at the time of the incident, and had told his partner he was going for a meal break. Prior to taking his life, the officer became distraught over his girlfriend’s Facebook postings.
The officer, who worked the graveyard shift, took off in his marked patrol car and went to his apartment dressed in uniform. The residence, located on East 36th Street and Lexington Avenue, belonged to his parents who shared it with him and his girlfriend. They resided on the third floor of the building in Murray Hill; the couple allegedly had plans to get a place of their own.
Reports stated that the pair argued inside the home until the officer stormed out. After his girlfriend followed him onto the street, he took out his department-issued 9mm handgun and proceeded to shoot himself before she was able to stop him. Though he was allegedly suspicious that she intended on leaving him for another guy, his last words to her were “I love you.”
She called emergency responders at twenty minutes after three that morning. Though witnesses claimed that the couple had been seen arguing on a separate occasion, those close to the officer said that no one would have seen it coming. It’s unsure whether any of the couple’s arguments had resulted in a breakup.
The officer was a four year veteran and left his squad car just feet away from him during his final moments of life. He was assigned to the overnight shift at the First Precinct in Tribeca and had a clean record. His father was a former insurance company president and an active member of the community.
Emergency responders took the officer to Bellevue Hospital where he was pronounced dead. It’s unsure whether there were any long-term reasons leading to the officer’s suicide. Though the couple had been living together, they had only met a few months prior.
Friends and family members of the officer have described him as an excellent marksman and gun enthusiast. A competition event for shooting was named after him because of his outstanding achievement. He is also described as being a gentle and courteous person.
Neighbors of the officer claimed that the situation is tragic, and that no one would expect such an action to be taken by a young police officer. Some claim that the officer could have been a troubled soul, and that the decision was not a reflection of a minor incident. Others question his mental health leading up to the incident, and claim that the NYPD should have more resources extended to the evaluation of their officers.
The twenty-nine-year-old officer is one of multiple New York City police officers to die prematurely this year. The identity of the officer’s girlfriend has not been released.
