Chicago Police Officer Dies In Suicide At Bunker Hill Forest Preserve
CHICAGO IL Sept 17 2019 A Chicago police officer died from suicide Monday night at the Bunker Hill Forest Preserve on the Northwest Side.
Cook County Sheriff’s officers responded to the Bunker Hill Forest Preserve near Caldwell and Tonty avenues around 7 p.m. in connection to a death investigation, according to sheriff’s spokesman Matt Walberg.
Officer Paul Escamilla, 40, was found dead, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office. An autopsy has been scheduled for Tuesday, but Chicago police said Escamilla died from suicide.
Chicago Police Department spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said Escamilla was a 17-year veteran of the department and worked in the Rogers Park District.
“Our hearts are heavy tonight as a we mourn the loss of a dedicated Chicago Police officer. We extend our heartfelt thoughts and deepest sympathy to the officer’s family and friends, and to his brothers and sisters in the 24th District,” she wrote. “To the rest of the Chicago Police Department, know that help is here for you and you’ll never be alone — Chicago will be with you every step of the way.”
Escamilla’s death was the fourth suicide for the Chicago Police Department this year.
Guglielmi said the department encourages all personnel to come forward if they need help, or just need to talk.
Last year, the department kicked off an internal campaign focused on suicide prevention, dubbed “You Are Not Alone CPD.” The department also increased the number of counselors available to officers from 5 to 11.
Guglielmi said the Chicago Police Department has one of the highest rates of officer suicide in the country.
If you or anyone you know needs help, it’s a phone call away at the National Suicide Prevention Hotline, at 800-273-8255.
