NASSAU COUNTY, NY - When one thinks of law enforcement deaths, the first inclination is to think of a violent death in the line of duty. However, there is a silent killer that sometimes takes more police officer lives annually than line-of-duty deaths (LODD) - suicide.
On average, 184 law enforcement officers die by suicide each year, according to a report by First HELP and CNA Corporation, which includes local police, sheriff's departments, and corrections officers. In 2019, Blue H.E.L.P., a nonprofit organization that tracks police suicides, reported 228 officer suicides. The rate of suicides among law enforcement officers is higher than that of the general population, with studies showing a 54% increased risk, according to Police Magazine.
However, a disturbing trend is taking place in New York, where in the first quarter of 2025, six law enforcement officers have died by suicide, including three in Nassau County alone, The New York Post reports.
The latter has the Nassau Police Benevolent Association sounding the alarm.
“The numbers are alarming, which is why our mental health should be a priority,” PBA President Tommy Shevlin told The Post.
We need to #breakthestigma and make police officers' mental health a priority!
— Nassau County PBA (@nassaucountypba) April 15, 2025
Click to read the full @nypost article: https://t.co/l2AtggTokj
“We are in the midst of a quiet crisis,” Suffolk PBA President Lou Civello told The Post. Last year, four county officers took their own lives, however, none have been reported thus far in 2025.
For the past five years, Shevlin has been trying to get the Lt. Joseph Banish Mental Health Act passed by the New York legislature. Banish was a New York state trooper who killed himself. The law would establish a peer-to-peer mental health support program for police officers.
At the current suicide rate in the Empire State, New York is poised to surpass last year, when thirteen law enforcement officers took their own lives, according to Blue H.E.L.P. The proposed bill would create a confidential network of trained police officers to help their peers deal with the intense trauma, stress, and grief caused by police work.
“This legislation is not just necessary–it’s long overdue,” Civello told The Post.
Shevlin noted that while the legislation wouldn’t necessarily “immediately stop all of the suicides…it would be a huge first step.”
“This is a huge problem,” he added.
The reasons for police suicide are myriad, but include chronic stress and trauma, a cultural stigma around mental health, easy access to firearms, irregular shifts, isolation, administrative and internal pressures, and officers strongly tying their identity to their job, with retirement, disability or being forced off cuty leading to a loss of purpose and identity.
Post-traumatic stress disorder is a significant factor in police suicides. As any officer, either current or retired, can tell you, the weight of constant responses to serious crimes, fatal car crashes, untimely deaths, and officer-involved uses of force wears officers down.
Shevlin agrees, noting that a lot of law enforcement officers struggle in silence, with some fearing career suicide if they speak out about their mental health. He believes the proposed New York bill would go a long way toward dismantling the stigma.
The bill, supported by several state legislators from Long Island, has cleared the state senate, but is stuck in the Assembly.
“We’re trying to get it pushed through right after the budget is done, Shevlin told The Post.
Momentum may finally be on the proponents' side, with Gov. Kathy Hochul signaling to Shevlin that she may be on board. Her office, however, refused to comment to The Post.
Last year, Hochul directed $13 million to provide mental health support to officers across the state and credited Shevlin with being one of the driving forces behind it.
‘The suicide rate among law enforcement is 60% higher than the average population,” Hochul wrote on X at the time. “My budget invests $13 million to provide mental help support to our officers and give them the helping hand they need.
“No one should have to suffer in silence.”
There are several resources for police officers (and other first responders) who are struggling with suicidal thoughts or mental health issues.
Copline- 24/7 confidential helpline staffed by retired police officers- 1-800-267-5463 (1-800-COPLINE)
First Responder Support Network- Offers peer and clinical support specifically for first responders.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline- Dial 988 (supports anyone, but also trained to support law enforcement and first responders.
