Suicide by Cop

New Statistics and Insight for Managing Calls Involving Suicidal Individuals

A person stands alone in the middle of a dimly lit street at night. The scene is illuminated by several streetlights, casting an orange glow through the fog. The person is silhouetted against the light, making it difficult to discern any facial features or specific details about their appearance. Trees and buildings line both sides of the street, and a pedestrian crossing is visible beneath the person's feet. The atmosphere appears eerie and quiet, with no other people or vehicles in sight.

In 1999, I was a young patrol sergeant working in a new division. Late one evening, I responded to a supervisor request on a domestic violence call in which the suspect attempted to stab his wife with a large kitchen knife. Little did I know that, in a span of less than 30 minutes, my life would be changed forever.