High-Ranking Chicago Police Official Takes Own Life: Police

CHICAGO, IL – An autopsy has been scheduled for Wednesday for a Chicago Police Deputy Chief who was found shot to death after taking his own life Tuesday morning at the Chicago Police Department’s Homan Square facility on the city's West Side, police confirmed.

Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown announced at a news conference Tuesday afternoon that the deceased is Dion Boyd, a 29-year veteran of the Chicago Police Department. Boyd, 57, had been promoted on July 15 to deputy chief of criminal networks, which focuses on long-time narcotics and gang-related activity investigations.

Brown confirmed that Boyd had taken his own life.

“I am extremely saddened to share with you today the loss of a respected member of our command staff to suicide,” Brown told reporters. “We are shocked, saddened at the loss, and it’s deeply felt by me and the many colleagues and friends with whom Deputy Chief Dion Boyd worked and mentored throughout his career.”

He added: “Dion left people he loved here, and colleagues who loved him as well. Please, officers, please, stay humble, stay human, stay safe, stay well...there is no shame in reaching out for help."

Prior to being promoted to Deputy Chief earlier this month, Boyd had served the Chicago Police Department as a commander of the Wentworth patrol district, which covers such South Side neighborhoods as Hyde Park, Washington Park and Bronzeville, the Chicago Tribune reported.

Boyd also served as a field lieutenant in the Calumet patrol district, which covers Roseland and West Pullman. He also worked as a sergeant in the Bureau of Internal Affairs and in a detective unit on the South Side earlier in his career, according to the Tribune.

After Boyd was found around 9 a.m. shot to death, the body was transported from the Homan facility to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Video footage of the official’s body being transported to the medical examiner’s office showed a parade of police vehicles leaving the facility as officers stood at attention and a large American flag was displayed hanging between two partially raised ladders of two fire trucks as hundreds of officers saluted an ambulance carrying Boyd's body.

“The job of a Chicago police officer is not easy, particularly in a time where there is intensified stress," Brown said at the news conference. "Everyday life can seem insurmountable at times for anyone, but for police officers the stakes are even higher due to the tireless work that they do to safeguard others."

Anyone who is struggling can get help by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or by texting HOME to 741741.