A veteran Chicago police officer has died in an apparent suicide after he was found shot dead in a station's bathroom in the early hou...
A veteran Chicago police officer has died in an apparent suicide after he was found shot dead in a station's bathroom in the early hours of Monday morning.
James Daly, 47, was discovered in Town Hall District police station at around 3am after reportedly telling his partner to get their radios and squad car keys.
He had been working his last shift after taking early retirement following 21 years as a cop, CBS reports. When he did not return from the men's locker room Daly's female partner sent another colleague to look for him and he was found dead.
Daly's death is the latest of at least 10 apparent suicides by Chicago police officers in the last two years.
It comes three years after the U.S. Justice Department reported that the suicide rate among Chicago police officers was 60 percent higher than the national average among police officers.
James Daly, 47, was discovered in Town Hall District police station at around 3am
Police Supt. David Brown confirmed Daly's death in a note to staff, writing: 'Our job is not easy, especially during these trying times.
'The ripple effect of this tragedy will be felt by many for a long time to come. I ask you to check in with each other and keep each other close as we cope with this grief together.'
In a statement Brown said he was 'heartbroken', adding: '[Daly] was a respected and dedicated 21-year veteran, and a friend to many in the Chicago Police Department.
'Today, I mourn alongside everyone in the Department. His loss is deeply felt by me and his many colleagues with whom he worked for many years.
'Our deepest condolences go out to his family and friends who are now grieving over this unimaginable loss. Please keep his family and friends in your thoughts and prayers.'
Police Supt. David Brown confirmed Daly's death in a note to staff, saying he was 'heartbroken'
In July last year Deputy Chief Dion Boyd died of a self-inflicted gunshot to the chest.
Boyd's death came just days after he was promoted to deputy chief of criminal networks by Superintendent David Brown.
Boyd, 57, was the highest ranking member of the department to take his own life in memory.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot said 'trauma and depression' has been 'exacerbated through the pandemic'.
She added: 'We'll find out more details around the officer but what I can just say is that our heart breaks as a city for that person, for that family and certainly for the members of the department, not only in the 19th District. This is something that will resonate across law enforcement here in Chicago.'
In July last year Deputy Chief Dion Boyd, right, died of a self-inflicted gunshot to the chest
Lightfoot said: 'The sad reality is that trauma and depression are with us all the time, and unfortunately that has been exacerbated through the pandemic for a host of reasons.
'Unfortunately, we need to make sure that we destigmatize depression and trauma, that we emphasize for folks the array of resources that are available across the city.'
'We want to make sure that people reach out. Call 311. Call 911. There's an array of services that we offer as a city to safeguard your privacy and your security. If you are feeling suicidal, please reach out. You are not in this by yourself,' the mayor said.
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