Police suicide epidemic continues to grip Long Island as cops confirm body found on Nassau beach — believed to be retired NYPD officer
Nassau County police confirmed they discovered a body on the Hempstead beach Monday, but have yet to identify the person or release any details about the incident.
3 A retired NYPD officer appears to have taken his own life on Lido Beach Monday morning.
Dennis A. Clark
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A source close to the investigation, however, said the male victim was a former New York City cop who came to the beach and fatally shot himself with a handgun during the early morning hours.
Cops later admitted they believe the death was a suicide.
'Its a sad situation that we're not really looking to report on,' Nassau police told The Post.
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If an autopsy confirms the self-inflicted killing, it would mark the seventh police officer to commit suicide in New York state this year.
At its current pace, the state is on track to see more than 20 police suicides by the end of 2025 — far surpassing 2024's total of 13.
3 A source close to the investigation said the male victim was a former New York City cop who fatally shot himself during the early morning hours.
Dennis A. Clark
'The numbers are alarming, which is why our mental health should be a priority,' Nassau County PBA President Tommy Shevlin told The Post.
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Just last month, Shevlin blew the whistle on police suicides across the state, with more than half now coming out of Long Island.
'We are in the midst of a quiet crisis,' Suffolk County PBA President Lou Civello previously said.
In Suffolk, four officers took their own lives last year. All four of the Long Island police suicides this year have occurred in Nassau.
'The suicide rate among law enforcement is 60% higher than the average population,' Gov. Kathy Hochul acknowledged on X last year, in allocating $13 million toward mental health support for cops across the state.
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3 At its current pace, the state is on track to see more than 20 police suicides by the end of 2025 — far surpassing 2024's total of 13.
Christopher Sadowski
But the police union presidents believe more is needed, urging Albany to pass the Lt. Joseph Banish Mental Health Act that would create a mental health support program for officers.
'This legislation is not just necessary — it's long overdue,' Civello said.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.
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