YET ANOTHER TRAGIC POLICE SUICIDE

By Bob Walsh

 

                                                                                                                     Steven Hernandez

 

An on-duty NYPD officer jumped 20 stories to his death on Tuesday.  He jumped from the roof of as building right next to the offices of the NYPD Medical Division.  The officer had recently been placed on modified duty.  No gun, no shield.  This is often known as the "rubber gun squad."  

Hernandez jumped from the roof of the Lefrak City Plaza in Elmhurst. 

 

A condition of his continued employment was regular check-ins with the Medical Division.  

There were three NYPD suicides last year.  Since 2019 the NYPD has had mandatory training in suicide prevention and has made mental health resources available thru the employee assistance program, the chaplains unit and a peer support network.