An off-duty police officer in Detroit lost his life on Monday after he shot and injured two of his fellow officers who were responding to a call about a potential suicide.

Gunfire erupted, prompting the responding officers to take cover behind their vehicle. The off-duty officer approached their cruiser, firing multiple rounds and injuring one officer in the leg and another in the thigh.

In response, one officer shot back, resulting in the death of the off-duty officer.

“It’s truly a tragic day,” remarked White, flanked by other officers and Mayor Mike Duggan during a news conference.

The officer was part of a specialized police unit

The two officers who were shot are currently recovering and in stable condition, according to White.

“The officers who responded acted heroically,” he stated. “Even upon realizing it was one of our own, they had to perform their duties to ensure everyone else’s safety.”

The deceased officer had been with the department for 13 years and was part of a team trained to handle high-risk situations, including active shooters and barricaded suspects, as noted by White.

Before this incident, the officer’s capacity to work was limited due to a degenerative medical issue, but he returned to full duty on October 3.

White mentioned that there was no prior history of mental health issues for this officer within the department.

“We are not exempt from mental crises,” White stated. “Like anyone else, it impacts us, including those in law enforcement.”

Mental health issues are more prevalent among officers, studies indicate

Studies show that police officers face higher instances of mental health disorders compared to the general populace, including PTSD and depression. Research by the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority indicates that between 7% and 19% of officers may experience PTSD.

From 2016 to 2022, a total of 1,287 public safety workers, accounting for first responders and police, tragically took their own lives, averaging around 184 each year. This data was presented in a report by First H.E.LP., an organization monitoring suicide statistics among law enforcement and first responders, in March.

Over half of these suicide cases involved officers from local police departments.

The report highlighted that the top challenges faced by public safety personnel included depression, affecting 34%, followed by PTSD, found in 27%. Additionally, 46% of officers who died by suicide were grappling with PTSD, depression, another mental disorder, trauma from childhood, or grief from a recent loss.

If you or someone you know is in need of mental health support, please reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling, texting, or visiting 988lifeline.org for around-the-clock assistance and confidential help.