NYPD Officer Found Dead in Queens Home

Sue Byamba
By Sue Byamba
February 18, 2020News
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NYPD Officer Found Dead in Queens Home
A NYPD officer in a file photograph. (Mary Altaffer/AP)

Police confirmed that an off-duty NYPD detective had committed suicide at his mother’s home in Queens Monday afternoon.

“Today, we tragically lost another member of the NYPD family,” NYPD commissioner Dermot Shea wrote on Twitter.

“PLEASE—If you or ANYONE you know is going through something, help is available.”

Though the police did not confirm the detective’s identity immediately, Sgt. Lee Jones told CNN that the detective was an “active member of the service.”

The New York Daily News reported that the detective was Paul Federico, a 53-year-old who joined the NYPD in 1990. He worked at the Central Park Precinct for more than 20 years before joining the police commissioner’s liaison unit.

“Deeply sad to hear of the death of Det. Paul Federico, a 29-year veteran and 9/11 first responder who fought hard for his fellow first responders,” State Senator Andrew Gounardes wrote on Twitter.

“Heartbreaking news out of Queens. Please keep the family of this good man as well as his brothers and sisters in the NYPD in your thoughts tonight.” NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio tweeted Monday.

The Detectives’ Endowment Association wrote on Facebook: “Today, the members of the Detectives’ Endowment Association mourn the loss of our brother, Detective Paul Federico. Paul was a dedicated 29-year veteran of the NYPD whose kindness and caring personality touched thousands of fellow cops and New Yorkers. As we all grapple with this tragedy, the thoughts and prayers of the DEA are with his family. Rest in peace, detective.”

The incident occurred on Monday afternoon in Federico’s mother’s house in Middle Village, Queens.

Councilman Robert Holden wrote on his Facebook that there was a “significant police presence” at 79th Street and 58th Avenue that is believed to be connected with the suicide.

According to police, a call was made from a house on 79th Street at around 12:30 p.m. on Monday. When the police arrived at the scene, the detective was already dead.

A half-dozen people gathered in front of his mother’s house as the police shut down the block to investigate.

A next-door neighbor said: “He seemed so happy. We never suspected anything like this.”

No note was left behind, the Daily Mail reported.

Frederico’s suicide was the first in the NYPD in 2020. There were 10 suicides in 2019, prompting the NYPD to reexamine suicide prevention methods.

According to the NY Daily News, Frederico had recently been placed on modified duty, meaning his shield and gun had been taken away.

He was also reportedly diagnosed with cancer previously and had his kidney removed.

Police Chief Terence Monahan tweeted: “As we mourn the loss of a fellow cop who died by suicide today, we must continue to stand together, support those in need, and send the message that it is okay to ask for help—in the NYPD or on the outside. You’re never alone. Someone is there to talk 24/7. #StopSuicide.”

Suicide Hotlines

If you are in an emergency in the United States or Canada, please call 911. You can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 1-800-273-8255. Youth can call the Kids Help Phone on 1-800-668-6868.

In the United Kingdom, call Samaritans at 116 123, Papyrus at 0800 068 41 41, or Childline at 0800 1111.

In Australia, the suicide prevention hotline at Lifeline is 13 11 14. You can also visit the Lifeline website at lifeline.org.au. Youth can contact the Kids Helpline by phoning 1-800-551-800 or visiting headspace.org.au/yarn-safe

If you are in an emergency in India, call Befrienders India—National Association at +91 33 2474 4704.

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