|
SHADOW OF THE BADGE |
|
Helping those who have sworn to protect and serve |
|
The Thin Blue Line |
|
Police Suicide continues to be a growing problem among officers. Until such time that agencies, administrators and officers are willing to address this issue, officer suicide will continue to be a serious problem. Research and statistics gathered by several organizations and the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, show that 2-3 times as many officers die each year by their own hand, as are killed in the line of duty by felons each year. What price must we pay, to defend the thin blue line of silence?
WE ARE OUR BROTHERS KEEPER DONT LET THE THIN BLUE LINE OF SILENCE KILL YOU OR SOMEONE YOU CARE FOR
This is not a You problem, or an I problem, it is a WE problem.
Thomas Peoples
While there has been no way to truly know the exact number of how many officers actually take their own life each year mostly due to inaccurate reporting by Police Agencies. It is estimated that at least twice the number of officers are killed each year by their own hand as are killed by felons in the line of duty. This numbers also appears to be close to or higher than the total number of line of duty deaths each year.
The BADGE OF LIFE has gathered these suicide for 2008 and 2009
LAW ENFORCEMENT DEATHS LINE OF DUTY SUICIDES
|
|
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 |
|
240 157 147 164 161 152 182 133 |
|
141 148
|
|
Regardless of the number of Police Suicides reported. In my opinion, one single death is one death too many. Despite the efforts of several different organizations, Police Suicides continue to occur at an alarming rate. Until such time that Agencies as a whole admit to the effects that the law enforcement career can have on a person, these deaths will continue to occur. |