Chicago Police Officer Kills Himself In Jefferson Park
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A Chicago police officer died by suicide on New Year's Day on the Northwest Side.
Officer Dane Anthony Smith, 36, shot himself while off-duty Tuesday morning at his home in the Jefferson Park neighborhood.
Smith worked at Police Headquarters at 35th and Michigan.
The Fraternal Order of Police called the news of Smith's suicide "devastating," and asked for prayers for the officer and his family.
"No one knows with certainty why someone makes such a tragic decision. We are all left with a gaping hole in our lives," FOP spokesman Martin Preib said in a statement.
Smith's death comes after a difficult year for the Chicago Police Department. Four officers were killed in the line of duty last year, and the FOP said Smith's suicide is the fifth in the last year for the CPD.
"The FOP will re-double our efforts to work with the department and the city to make sure help is available for officers, and we ask each and every officer to keep an eye out for any officer who may be struggling with depression and guide them to get help," the FOP said.
If you know anyone who has been struggling with thoughts of suicide, you can contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.
