Monday, August 21, 2017

Please Seek Help

Another Officer, this time on Duty Disability, took his own life following a series of personal and professional setbacks.

If you or another copper is experiencing a rough patch - a patch that is aggravated by job/life stresses -  and everything is looking dark, hopeless, endless or insurmountable, there is help available.

This link is to the Police Chaplains Ministry where a few of our favorite sky-pilots assist in many of the programs offered to cops, spouses and family members. We get e-mails from one of them semi-regularly and we get candy from another every time he swings by an event. We've also been witness to some of the extraordinary work they do for officers who need help.

We are also adding the link to the right hand menu under "Police Related Websites" in the hope that anyone who needs the info can find it there.

RIP Officer.

(Condolences only here please)

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47 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

The permanent solution to a temporary, albeit difficult circumstance suicide is never the answer. Life is hard. Life gets harder. Life seems impossible. There are people, right now, willing to help you through it. Call them. Keep getting up, one more time.

8/21/2017 12:40:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

RIP brother.

8/21/2017 01:15:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

SCC - Thanks for helping the stars of the CPD to find solace and peace by seeking out. You are the best SCC.
_______________________________
To the family of the fallen officer, deepest condolences in your tragic loss. His name is unknown here but his soul will be in my prayers. May the Almighty and all the CPD family be a comfort to you knowing your loved one is not forgotten. Rest easy officer.

8/21/2017 04:03:00 AM  
Anonymous Del Pearson said...

Being on DD is difficult. It took me four yrs to realize it was time to leave. Like it or not, this job gets inside you and its very hard to stop cold turkey. Yes, the Police ministries helps. They help way more then the Memorial Foundation! Friends and family support is crucial. Having a divorce I'm sure multiplies to feeling of being alone. Finding another job helps tremendously, especially one you enjoy. If you already have alcohol issues then you are already fighting a tough battle because like me, the pain pill addiction is very real. We all have short memories. Its no ones fault. I visit the districts and the majority of cops have no idea who you are. And I was very proactive within the department after I got hurt. Bitterness comes and you cant help it. If you have lost mobility or any lost ability to normal functions of your body, you need to overcome that. Luckily, mine was the loss of the use of my left hand. I'm right handed but learning to tie shoes or utton a shirt is difficult. Figure it out. Most importantly, find a hoppy. Find joy in your new period of life. Yes. I miss the job everyday! The people we worked with and the adrenaline!!! PTSD is also real. Seek out groups for discussions. Get involved. There's enough of them out there and most times they wont leave you alone until you tell them to go away. My # is 773-410-0029. If I can help i will. Being knocked out of the game is not the end. There is more. It takes awhile to figure it out but trust me, there is life after CPD

8/21/2017 04:27:00 AM  
Blogger Mr. SouthSide said...

There are many avenues to seek help. The Department never has to know. RIP Officer.

8/21/2017 05:20:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I learned long ago it's all bullshit. No one gives a fuck. You are on your own

8/21/2017 06:35:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I have. Den there one time or another the EAP is there to help! I swear

8/21/2017 07:31:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am retired from CPD and can honestly say that this job does not care about you. Many departments have things in place to check on retirees, many sponsor eve ts fir them, but Chicago has nothing at all. Maybe an e mail or call could help. We cater to many community groups but not retirees. Many miss thier friends on the job. After I retired I did get calls from some of my team members but that was short lived.

8/21/2017 07:53:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

In my 36 year career, I had 17 friends and acquaintances commit suicide. R.I.P., Brother

8/21/2017 07:58:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

R.I.P. Officer.
Many that never knew you, are still saddened by the loss of any of our American warriors.
Condolences to the family.

J.J.

8/21/2017 08:16:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Rest In Peace. Many officers on disability have been ridiculed and shamed for their work status. When will the city and union stop with this treatment? God Bless to all officers. This job is thankless. Let's address this issue so no more coppers do this again.

8/21/2017 08:42:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Please Pray for whomever this officer is and his family. Being on disability is not what some officers think. Often they are labled for the worst. Officers need to be aware that this job can change you in seconds and you may find yourself one day on disability. Please , before Judging coppers , know that you do not have all facts and you may be in the unfortunate position one day yourself on the pension rolls. Be kind and respectful in your words and actions when talking about officers and peers and keep this in mind when it is about officers on disability. If you know any officer going thru pain , even if it is someone you have dislike for please just say nothing if it is not nice at all.
Police work is Noble and we all need to rise above the chatter and other noise that separates officers. Reach out to your friends on the job and anyone you may think is having a hard time because you do not know what they are expericing if your not in there shoes.

God Bless

8/21/2017 09:10:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

always hated the thought of it

I'd rather stick around and make everybody else miserable

God Bless

8/21/2017 09:14:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

God speed Brother😢

8/21/2017 09:46:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

FM I'm sorry it came to this brother and all I can do now is pray for your soul and for your family. You will always be remembered for being a good copper and for being one of the funniest guys I knew. I wish I knew what was going on in your head, I'd give you a huge hug and tell you that you're loved by many and find you some help. You were a good man and will be missed by many. Rest in peace brother, I'm so so sorry.
Old S.O.S. buddy

8/21/2017 09:56:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

God bless this officer and his family. Brothers and sisters, if you think a fellow officer is in pain and needs help, reach out to that officer. We are so worried about being criticized or accused of interfering that we back off, when that may be the last thing we should do. And never be afraid to tell a fellow officer you have their back, not just when the shit is hitting the fan, but always.

8/21/2017 10:16:00 AM  
Blogger 011 2nd Watch DOG said...

R.I.P. Brother.
765B

8/21/2017 10:20:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

"Blessed be the Peacemakers", Godspeed.

- a nobody.

8/21/2017 10:47:00 AM  
Blogger The Song Remains The Same said...

My heart goes out to the family....
Rest In Peace, Officer.

8/21/2017 10:57:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

R.I.P. Prayers sent to the family.

8/21/2017 11:05:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

No matter how dark it looks professionally or personally, please reach out to a police brother or sister. I've been there, you can get through it.

8/21/2017 11:55:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Godspeed brother, please officers the stress on this job is not worth your life,get help stay fetal,protect blue God bless the police!

8/21/2017 12:17:00 PM  
Blogger Birds&Blooms said...

My Brother, RIP.

Officers, please get help when depressed.
Life is short as is.

Prayers to all police.

8/21/2017 01:15:00 PM  
Blogger MarxFreeTV said...

By the way, it bears repeating that suicide is often the result of clinical depression. Clinical depression has the stigma of being a "mental condition" when the reality is that it is a physical, medical condition - that can be measured with lab instruments - that manifests itself in behavioral changes. That medical (*not* mental) condition can often be easily treated. Study up on the subject and if you see behavioral changes consistent with clinical depression, *do not hesitate* to explain to the person that it is a medical, not mental problem and seek treatment immediately. Clinical depression is not being crazy, it's a biochemical problem and people die when it is ignored.

8/21/2017 02:36:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

R.I.P Officer may God comfort your soul and bring peace to your Family. 😢

8/21/2017 03:06:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Suicide may releave your pain, but the pain you
leave to those who loved you never goes away. A lesson I learned the hard way

8/21/2017 03:34:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anonymous Anonymous said...
The permanent solution to a temporary, albeit difficult circumstance suicide is never the answer. Life is hard. Life gets harder. Life seems impossible. There are people, right now, willing to help you through it. Call them. Keep getting up, one more time.

8/21/2017 12:40:00 AM

Depression is a full time job. It keeps you from doing the things you want to do. It gets heavier and heavier every year and the toxic environment we're in makes it worse.
It's hard to talk about it, especially when you can't trust anybody and when you've seen doctors and counselors and they couldn't help. A lot of us grew up with alcoholic abusive fathers. What happens to you when you're a kid doesn't leave you when you become an adult.

8/21/2017 04:31:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Rip Hero

8/21/2017 07:40:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

R.I.P. Praying for you and your loved ones.

8/21/2017 08:27:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

So sorry my deepest condolences to family and friends. Stay safe.

8/21/2017 08:42:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey Del - You remain the best brother. You always were a gem of a man and copper. You remain an amazing man, if told to your face you would say stfu. Your a gift offering your ear to copper' in need.

Too many in our field fall to this final moment in their lives.

Copper' need each other more today then ever. The people are totally stressed out worrying about the bosses and city shitting on them. Please guys and girls, keep your mind working as designed, help and med' are out there to make you feel normal and happy again. The stigma of taking an A,D for clinical depression on the med' is nil now. 25 - 30 percent of the populations are being treated. More copper' then you will ever know are taking their med' are feeling better and the brain is in balance now.

The A.D ' will not make you kiss hot. If you take anxiety drugs as directed, it will not come up in the drug screening.

God bless you Del and all the great warriors of the CPD.

8/21/2017 09:21:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

He always dreamed of being a good policeman, then the day came. He or she, could not cope any more,ST MICHAEL will take care of are fallen brother or sister they will enter the gates of Heaven Amen.

8/21/2017 09:57:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Rest peacefully Brother

8/21/2017 11:21:00 PM  
Blogger PUNKY said...

FOP has appointed members to DD Commitee and mental health. Ive been on DD and now back. Please ..we are trying to not forget our brothers and sisters on DD. They are truly a part of all us. Amen. Sad..RIP my brother. MMc

8/21/2017 11:23:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

First and foremost, my condolences to the family. I'm sorry for your loss.

Next, to those members seeking help and want to follow the advice of SCC to contact our Chaplains Unit, I find that the site offered by SCC requires some extra efforts and researching there to get to the 'resources' portion.

Here's a more direct route to our Chaplains Ministry 'resources' site. http://www.chicagopcm.org/resources.php

Finally, the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a FREE and CONFIDENTIAL unit of the Chicago Police Department supporting all officers, their friends, and family members who may be in need. EAP - 312-743-0378.

8/22/2017 08:09:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...

I am retired from CPD and can honestly say that this job does not care about you. Many departments have things in place to check on retirees, many sponsor eve ts fir them, but Chicago has nothing at all. Maybe an e mail or call could help. We cater to many community groups but not retirees. Many miss thier friends on the job. After I retired I did get calls from some of my team members but that was short lived.

8/21/2017 07:53:00
I second that. They preach how we're one big Family, when it's to their benefit for Morale purposes on the job, but once it's out the door with retirement or otherwise, that's it. Gone and forgotten in the blink of an eye, as far as this phony political Whorehouse Department is concerned. That includes the Dept; Bosses, Chaplins, and the rest of the phony's. It's just a revolving door, don't let em bullshit you that they will do a f'n thing for you after you're gone. It's a Lie.

I second that. After all the bullshit talk abou

8/22/2017 10:33:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The REACT foundation is always willing to help you can find the contact info in past posts . To SCC thank you for fighting the good fight . No copper firefighter or paramedic should ever feel like no one cares and that your life doesn't matter . As first responders you risk your lives for total strangers everyday without hesitation or thanks . There is help we are here and no one has to know . You are not alone .

8/22/2017 11:30:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

First and foremost, my condolences to the family. I'm sorry for your loss.

Next, to those members seeking help and want to follow the advice of SCC to contact our Chaplains Unit, I find that the site offered by SCC requires some extra efforts and researching there to get to the 'resources' portion.

Here's a more direct route to our Chaplains Ministry 'resources' site. http://www.chicagopcm.org/resources.php

Finally, the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a FREE and CONFIDENTIAL unit of the Chicago Police Department supporting all officers, their friends, and family members who may be in need. EAP - 312-743-0378.

Not sure anything is confidential on the CPD. DOES IAD have confidential CR's? Like the one they had about the secret study sessions. Rumor had it the following week the sessions stopped

8/22/2017 04:11:00 PM  
Anonymous Carl Riggenbach said...

God bless the officer and protect his or her loved ones.
The Chicago Police Department is not a building at 35th and Michigan or the organization that issues your check, it is the collection of individuals that you see at roll call or benefits and retirement parties, the guys and girls who back each other up and laugh and cry together. The people who don't understand that are often the first to whine when nobody does anything, you are somebody why don't you do something! It is not the bosses job to look after you (though that would be nice).They have other priorities. Take the time to touch base with the people who are on disability, sick or suspended, they get lonely. You have to look after each other cuz "you are all you got". Del I apologize for not following my own advise here. I hope you are well.
Please take care of each other and try to find something to laugh about every day.

8/22/2017 06:05:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

back each other up, pray for one another. and check in on your dd guys and gals they sure appreciate that. RIP brother.

8/22/2017 06:56:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

EAP is confidential per statute. No names, no notes, no file, NOTHING! Plus the counselor is bound by ethics to keep confidentiality.

8/23/2017 12:42:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thanks to those whom attended the wake. Thanks for your prayers and support.

8/23/2017 08:30:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anonymous Anonymous said...
EAP is confidential per statute. No names, no notes, no file, NOTHING! Plus the counselor is bound by ethics to keep confidentiality.

You don't really believe this do you? No names, no notes? So every time you call you start out at the beginning?
I do feel better about the ethics part because there would never be a CPD boss or employee or a counselor that lacks ethics.
The city has an ethics law and you see how that is going. Every week in the paper an alderman or city official is accused of violating it

8/23/2017 11:46:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I can't the job anymore! It has burned me out to a point I can no longer don the uniform! The pain inside is a daily grind and feel hopeless at time. I have PTSD and told a a coworker who said your mind is weak and should have not taken the job? This coming from a guy that has never pulled his gun and has NEVER been on the business end of one. That holier then thou CPD BS once again kicks a man already down. My heart. Teams for this cop. I pray I will get the help I need. Thanks for letting me complain.

8/23/2017 01:51:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

To 01:51:00 PM,
please get the help you need. God Bless.

8/23/2017 08:19:00 PM  
Blogger Sir Donkey, esq said...

Frank, you will be missed.

8/25/2017 01:09:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Blogger Sir Donkey, esq said...
Frank, you will be missed.

8/25/2017 01:09:00 AM....

Thank you for your kind words, Sir Donkey. We all miss him.

Anonymous Anonymous said...
I can't the job anymore! It has burned me out to a point I can no longer don the uniform! The pain inside is a daily grind and feel hopeless at time. I have PTSD and told a a coworker who said your mind is weak and should have not taken the job? This coming from a guy that has never pulled his gun and has NEVER been on the business end of one. That holier then thou CPD BS once again kicks a man already down. My heart. Teams for this cop. I pray I will get the help I need. Thanks for letting me complain.

8/23/2017 01:51:00 PM

Please get help. If not through the department, find an outside doctor. God Bless you.

8/25/2017 09:49:00 AM  

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