Nassau Police Officer Dies By Suicide, Union Official Says

MASSAPEQUA, NY — A Massapequa police lieutenant has been identified as the Nassau County police officer who took his own life Monday night. Kevin Black, president of the superior officer's union, confirmed the suicide to Patch on Wednesday.

The 27-year member of the department died around 6 p.m. Monday.

Laura Curran, the county executive, and Patrick Ryder, commissioner of the police department, announced the death Tuesday morning.

"He worked every day to keep our communities safe and his death is a tremendous loss for this Department," the department said in a statement.

The officer was a husband and a father and the department asked the public to keep his wife and children in their prayers as they face "unimaginable pain."

Peer and worker assistance support has been made available to all department and family members affected by the death. The department plans to work closely with the family and department members.

News 12 reported the lieutenant had a daughter in high school and a son in college. The officer's name wasn't immediately released.

The Nassau death comes amid a spate of suicides in the NYPD. Retired NYPD officer Jose Pabon shot himself last month in Goshen, becoming the 11th officer in that department to die by suicide this year.

If you or someone you know needs help call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or reach out to the Crisis Text Line by texting "Home" to 741741.