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Two NOLA police officers commit suicide; dozens resign

By Last Night in Little Rock, Section Huricanes Katrina and Rita
Posted on Sun Sep 04, 2005 at 08:48:33 PM EST
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by Last Night in Little Rock

CNN.com has a disturbing story tonight: Katrina aftermath taking toll on police. CNN reports that two officers have killed themselves with their own guns and dozens have resigned in the past week. NOLA PD has 1,600 officers.

The feeling of helplessness in the face of utter chaos in the destruction of the city they love so must be overwhelming. Nothing seems to me to warrant suicide, but I don't know what is going through their heads, or what they have seen and experienced. The PTSD rate will be enormous, with the police and public.

< Tiniest Survivor So Far | 10,000 Katrina survivors arrive at Ft. Chafee, AR >

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    Two NOLA police officers commit suicide; dozens resign | 5 comments (5 topical)
    Re: Two NOLA police officers commit suicide; dozen (none / 0) (#1)
    by chupetin on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:15 PM EST
    My condolences to the families of the two officers, may they rest in peace, and best wishes to the others that were overwhelmed by this.

    Re: Two NOLA police officers commit suicide; dozen (none / 0) (#2)
    by MikeDitto on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:15 PM EST
    Suicide is a result of a confluence of stressors, usually combined with some sort of intoxicant--which sleep deprivation, dehydration, hunger, and a number of other factors can mimmic. Mayor Nagin is desperately trying to get his people rotated out for rest and counseling, but he is having a tough time with getting replacements. I can only imagine what those folks are going through right now.

    Re: Two NOLA police officers commit suicide; dozen (none / 0) (#3)
    by Edger on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:15 PM EST
    I doubt very much that any of us, watching from the sidelines, can grasp the utter hopelessness they must have been feeling. Some things cannot be known by what they are "like", but only by direct experience. That depth of hopelessness is not something I would wish on anyone, nor want direct experience of. My best to those they've left...

    Re: Two NOLA police officers commit suicide; dozen (none / 0) (#4)
    by Edger on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:15 PM EST
    Daylight again, following me to bed I think about a hundred years ago, how my fathers bled I think I see a valley, covered with bones in blue All the brave soldiers that cannot get older Been askin' after you Hear the past a callin', from Armegeddon's side When everyone's talkin', and no one is listenin', how can we decide? Find the cost of freedom, buried in the ground Mother earth will swallow you, lay your body down Find the cost of freedom, buried in the ground Mother earth will swallow you, lay your body down Find the cost of freedom, buried in the ground
    ...Stephen Stills, CSNY

    Re: Two NOLA police officers commit suicide; dozen (none / 0) (#5)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:15 PM EST
    well, yes.

    Two NOLA police officers commit suicide; dozens resign | 5 comments (5 topical)