July 30, 2020

USA: A Recently Promoted Chicago Police Deputy Chief Of Criminal Networks, Focus On Long-Term Gang And Narcotics Investigations Committed Suicide. 10th Chicago Officer To Die By Suicide In 2 Years.


WGN News published July 28, 2020: Deputy Chief Dion Boyd dies by suicide inside West Side police facility. A deputy chief with the Chicago Police Department died of an apparent suicide inside a West Side CPD facility where his body was discovered Tuesday morning, officials said. He was recently promoted to Deputy Chief of Criminal Networks last week.

Chicago Tribune
written by Jeremy Gorner and Annie Sweeney
Wednesday July 29, 2020

A Chicago police deputy chief was found dead Tuesday morning in a suicide, police leaders said, the highest ranking department member in recent memory to take their own life.

Dion Boyd was found shot to death at the Homan Square police facility on the West Side. He was identified by Chicago police Superintendent David Brown at a Tuesday afternoon news conference.

During brief remarks at police headquarters, Brown talked about the family and friends Boyd left behind.

“Many lives will be forever changed from this moment on,” said Brown, flanked by other police officials. “And Deputy Chief Boyd’s presence will be greatly missed. I ask you to keep his family and friends in your thoughts and prayers.”

Boyd, 57, had recently been promoted to deputy chief of criminal networks, which focuses on long-term gang and narcotics investigations.

Law enforcement sources said Boyd was found dead in his office inside the Homan Square facility, 3340 W. Fillmore St., and he may have shot himself overnight or Monday night.

“This devastating loss will not only be felt at every level of this Department, but in the countless communities and homes Deputy Chief Boyd touched during his decades-long service to our city,” Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Tuesday on Twitter. “Our prayers are with Deputy Chief Boyd’s two sons, along with his family, fellow officers, and many friends during this very painful time.”

An autopsy Wednesday found that Boyd died of a gunshot wound to the chest and his death was ruled a suicide, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office. Boyd is at least the 10th Chicago cop to die by suicide in two years.

Boyd was promoted to deputy chief earlier this month after serving in several lower-ranking leadership roles, including as commander of the Wentworth patrol district, which covers such South Side neighborhoods as Hyde Park, Washington Park and Bronzeville.

A 29-year CPD veteran, Boyd also served as a field lieutenant earlier in his career in the Calumet patrol district, covering such Far South Side neighborhoods as Roseland and West Pullman. He also worked as a sergeant in the Bureau of Internal Affairs and in a detective unit.

“The job of a Chicago police officer is not easy, particularly in a time where there is intensified stress,” Brown said as he addressed the loss of Boyd. “Every day life can seem insurmountable at times for anyone. But for police officers the stakes are even higher due to the tireless work they do to safeguard others.”

Police supervisors who have worked directly with Boyd described him as an upbeat and positive boss who pushed officers to do their best.

“He was always happy,” said one South Side supervisor, who declined to be identified because he’s not authorized to speak to reporters. “He appeared to always be in good spirits ... a lot of energy.”

The supervisor said Boyd was the boss who notified him when he got a promotion. At one point, the supervisor recalled, Boyd offered words of encouragement, telling him to “keep doing what you’re doing” so that other bosses notice and promote him even further.

Within the last two months, the supervisor said, he witnessed Boyd give “inspirational” words to a group of officers amid the national unrest, including in Chicago, following the May 25 death of George Floyd at the hands of police in Minnesota.

“You guys keep your heads up,” the supervisor said, paraphrasing Boyd’s remarks. “We’re going to weather this storm together.”

Keith Calloway, a former top-ranking Chicago police official, said he knew Boyd for more than 20 years and worked with him in Internal Affairs at one point.

“Always a hard worker, very tenacious,” Calloway said of Boyd. “Very mild-mannered. ... He was always easygoing to work with.”

Another supervisor recalled how Boyd made a point to check in and offer encouraging words in the department’s recent difficult months.

“He always wanted to make sure the officers were OK,” said the supervisor, who was not authorized to speak on the record to the Tribune. “He would say, ‘listen, you go through these down times but everything is going to get better. Just hang in there.’ ”

The supervisor noted that Boyd’s suicide provided him with a critical reminder.

“No matter how upbeat someone is, you still need to check on them,” he said.

During Boyd’s time as head of Wentworth, one of his officers, Samuel Jimenez, was shot and killed by a gunman at Mercy Hospital & Medical Center in November 2018. During the incident, the gunman also fatally shot his ex-fiancee, who was an emergency room doctor at the hospital, and a pharmacist before dying in a shootout with police.

Scores of officers in marked and unmarked squad cars — with their emergency lights activated but no sirens — escorted Boyd’s body in a procession from Homan Square to the medical examiner’s office Tuesday. The cars rode between two fire trucks, where an American flag was draped between the trucks’ two elevated ladders.

The Chicago Police Department’s problem with officer suicides was highlighted in a 2017 report by the U.S. Justice Department of the city’s policing practices. At that time, one Chicago police official told the Justice Department that CPD’s officer suicide rate was higher than the national average.

“To our men and women in uniform, please know that there is no shame in reaching out for help,” Brown said. “If you see any signs that your colleagues are having trouble coping with stress, please check in on them and let them know you’re there.”
👇 Chicago Marxist Democrat Mayor Lightfoot FIRED
Chicago Police Superintentent Eddie Johnson
WEEKS BEFORE HIS RETIREMENT.
He served Chicago honorably for 30 Years. 👇
👇 THIS VIDEO IS FROM LAST YEAR 👇


Chicago Police published April 4, 2019"I Reached Out" I Chicago Police Department.

Chicago Police officers of various ranks share deeply personal stories about their struggles with depression and suicide in this heartfelt video.

The video, titled "I Reached Out," also features Superintendent Eddie Johnson talking about the time he turned to the department's internal counseling services.

Another officers shares their stories about suicide, postpartum depression and divorce. The stories are different, but there is something universal in their struggles with mental health.

The goal of this video is to encourage officers to "reach out" for help.

Each year, more than 41,000 individuals die by suicide, leaving behind their friends and family members to navigate the tragedy of loss.

In many cases, friends and families affected by a suicide loss (often called “suicide loss survivors”) are left in the dark. Too often the feelings of shame and stigma prevent them from talking openly.

If you are in crisis or are experiencing difficult or suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273 TALK (8255).

If you’re uncomfortable talking on the phone, you can also text NAMI to 741-741 to be connected to a free, trained crisis counselor on the Crisis Text Line.

If you are A CPD member in need of help, please know that we have resources dedicated for you:

Employee Assistance Program (EAP…Chicago Police Professional Counseling 24/7…and CONFIDENTIALITY IS GUARANTEED): 312/743-0378

Police Chaplains Ministry: 1-312-738-2831

You are not Alone!

Help us make this video Viral - help us raise aweness for suicide prevention.

ABC 7 Chicago published July 21, 2020: Chicago police release video showing violent clash with protesters near Christopher Columbus statue. Police said the video shows a person dumping out a backpack with what appear to be frozen water bottles, which they said were then thrown at officers
Chicago police release video showing violent clash with BLM protesters near Christopher Columbus statue.

It's stops being a legal "protest" when it becomes violent. BLM rioters attacked Chicago police and injured police. (emphasis mine)

WGN News published July 20, 2020: Chicago police release video footage of protests at Columbus statue. Officials say videos released Monday show a group of demonstrators bringing projectiles and preparing to confront police during a protest at the statue of Christopher Columbus in downtown Chicago which turned violent Friday night.

Posted by Princess Mononoke at 3:55 PM

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