Off-Duty Chicago Police Sergeant Takes Life In Third CPD July Suicide

CHICAGO — A third Chicago Police Department officer has taken their own life, the third suicide within the department in the past two weeks, officials confirmed on Sunday.

The Chicago Police Department reported that an off-duty sergeant shot himself on Sunday, which is the second CPD suicide in three days.

The department did not identify the officer by name but said that the off-duty sergeant had succumbed to his injuries. In a social media post by a group of officers from Chicago and Cook County officers on Monday afternoon, the officer was identified as Sgt. Andrew Dobda. According to online records, Dobda joined the department in 2004.

"We ask that the city wrap its arms around this sergeant’s loved ones as they mourn his loss," a statement from the department released on Sunday said. "Please also take a moment to pray for the men and women of CPD, who are grieving alongside this sergeant’s family."

The death comes two days after Durand Lee, 42, was found dead in his residence on Friday morning and nearly two weeks after Patricia Swank, who had been with CPD for more than six years, took her life earlier this month.

At least five Chicago police officers have taken their own lives in the past 16 months. A 2017 report from the U.S. Department of Justice found CPD's suicide rate to be 60 percent higher than the national average for police officers.

"We are in the midst of the most difficult and challenging time to be a police officer in this country," CPD officials tweeted out on Sunday. "Officer well-being and overall mental health is our top priority."

In a news conference on Monday, Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown addressed the three suicides and stressed that amid a difficult 2 1/2 years, police officers who are human who struggle like anyone else.

"They were sons, daughters, siblings, partners, friends, and mentors," Brown said. "As a department, we ask for the city's continued support and prayers, especially for our member's families, friends, and those who knew and worked with them."

He added: "Each of their losses is a tragedy that impacts a family, a department, and the City of Chicago. As we continue to grieve, I know there will be tough days ahead."

Mayor Lori Lightfoot said that the three suicides are a reminder of how tough of a job police officers have and said that the deaths are an "opportunity to remember that our police officers endure incredible stress and trauma every single day," Lightfoot said Monday.

"It's a really hard job to be the police," she added. "We cannot underestimate that."

Swank’s brother told NBC Chicago in an interview that more resources need to be devoted to officers’ mental health issues and that department officials need to make well-being among cops more of a priority.

"I’m not denying that there are resources. But when you give someone resources, how can they use those resources?" Ryan Clancy told the station. "With 12-hour days, no days off, there’s no time," he said. "There’s been now three officers in the last two weeks. I don’t see officials doing anything about it."

Anyone who is struggling can get help by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or by texting HOME to 741741.