Chicago Police Sergeant Identified, Death Ruled A Suicide: ME

CHICAGO — The Chicago police sergeant who was found dead in his home Saturday morning has been identified by authorities as 52-year-old Edward T. Dougherty. The Cook County Medical Examiner said that Dougherty died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

Dougherty was assigned to the 22nd Chicago Police District and lived in Mt. Greenwood. His body was found in his home near 105th Street and Christiana Avenue. The police sergeant was pronounced dead at 8:20 a.m., according to the medical examiner.

>>> Suicide Believed To Be Behind Chicago Police Officer's Death: CPD

"The death of an officer is a stark reminder of the many sacrifices and demands members of law enforcement face each and every day," CPD Supt. David Brown said in the statement issued through the department. "This tragic situation underscores the importance of prioritizing our mental and emotional health and wellbeing."

Dougherty is at least the fourth Chicago police officer to have taken his own life over the past year. Twelve suicides have been reported in the Chicago Police Department since 2018. In 2017 a U.S. Department of Justice report found CPD’s suicide rate to be 60 percent higher than the national average for police officers.