The video shown is from a previous report. “The Chicago Police Department is mourning the loss of an off-duty sergeant who succumbed to his injuries today,” CPD said in a statement Sunday. We are devastated. Two of our members recently died by suicide and we just learned that a third member took his own life earlier today. Much more needs to be done to curb this horrific reality. Click below to hear more from President Catanzara. 🔗: pic.twitter.com/Sy9bYYhBfQ — Fraternal Order of Police – Chicago Lodge #7 (@FOP7Chicago) July 16, 2022 The officer was initially listed in serious condition Saturday after the suicide attempt. RELATED: Suicide prevention: New 988 hotline is 911 for mental health emergencies The incident came just one day after another CPD officer was found dead in her home by suicide and weeks after the other took her own life. “We ask that the city wrap its arms around this sergeant’s loved ones as they mourn his loss. Please also take a moment to pray for the men and women of the CPD, who are grieving with this sergeant’s family.” , the department added. The identity of the third officer has not yet been released. “It’s very heartbreaking to know that an officer was under so much stress, so depressed, that they felt the only way out was to take their own life,” said Jamay Nellum-Fane, a former CPD officer. Having served 16 years with the Chicago Police Department, just retiring in April, Nellum-Fane said the emotional stress of being a police officer has become extreme. “Off days get canceled and then we have to be real — the stress of our officers responding to calls — person with a gun, person shot, domestic battery, child abuse, sexual assault,” he said. She said stress, in part, led to her retirement. “I went through this dark period, dealing with depression, PTSD, PTSD. It was just too much. It was overwhelming,” Nellum-Fane said. “We can always do a better job of watching out for our brothers and sisters and trying to pay attention to potential crisis moments that we can intervene in,” said FOP President John Catanzara. RELATED: Chicago’s 22nd Precinct Hosts First ‘Wellness Expo’ To Help Cops’ Mental Health Both the president of the Fraternal Order of Police and Nellum-Fane agree that more can be done. “I think they need to be more creative and actually assign maybe counselors, social workers, whatever the case may be, to actual districts,” Nellum-Fane said. In response to a tweet from the Chicago Police Department on Sunday, Mayor Lori Lightfoot responded: “Please know that we hear you and are working tirelessly to ease the mental and physical burden on our police officers.” Please know that we hear you and are working tirelessly to ease the mental and physical burden on our police officers. 🧵 https://t.co/HTwSjEQImQ — Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot (@chicagosmayor) July 17, 2022 I hope all members of the @Chicago_Police who may be struggling will consider contacting the Employee Assistance Program, the Department’s licensed professional therapists, and the Chaplaincy Ministry. Call 312.743.0378 for more details, night or day. — Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot (@chicagosmayor) July 17, 2022 If you are feeling suicidal or worried about someone you know, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. You can also text the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741. For more information, visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org. Copyright © 2022 WLS-TV. All rights reserved.
