A rookie NYPD police officer has taken his own life several months after being involved in the fatal shooting of a gunman.
The 22-year-old officer, who has been named as Colin Rossiter, shot himself at his home on Staten Island around 1:50 a.m. Thursday. A gun was found next to him.
Rossiter was found by his father, a retired NYPD sergeant, and taken to the hospital, but pronounced dead on arrival.
He was not appointed until October 2021 and has been working at the 60th Precinct, which includes Coney Island, Brighton Beach, West Brighton Beach and Sea Gate, sources told the New York Post.
Rossiter’s relatives, fellow officers and other well-wishers gathered outside Staten Island University North Hospital on Thursday to pay their respects as Rossiter’s body was disposed of. He is the third NYPD officer to commit suicide in 2023.
Colin Rossiter, 22, (pictured) was named as the NYPD officer who shot himself at his Staten Island home around 1:50 a.m. Thursday
Tributes were paid outside the Staten Island University North Hospital. Rossiter was rushed to hospital after his father discovered his body, but was tragically pronounced dead on arrival
Rossiter’s fellow officers, relatives and other well-wishers gather to pay their respects to the young officer
Rossiter is the third NYPD officer to commit suicide in 2023
The emotional scene included a salute to the officer by colleagues, relatives and well-wishers
The emotional scene included a salute to the officer. Campaigners say there is a lack of mental health support for officers in New York and across America.
In November 2022, Rossiter was one of several officers to fatally shoot 42-year-old Jermaine Hickson after he opened fire on police in Coney Island.
Hickson was seen in the street with a gun and opened fire on responding officers as they jumped out of their cruiser.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams said on Thursday: “After the shooting, I contacted the officers involved because I know that after an encounter like that with good people, you know what cops can go through.
“These are young children, you know? Twenty-one, 22 years old, and when I communicated with them, I just told them, “You’re protecting New Yorkers.”
“I was hoping to relieve the stress. It just really broke my heart that we lost this young man.”
Rossiter was also remembered by members of his college fraternity, Kappa Sigma Rho-Sigma
In November 2022, Rossiter was one of several officers to fatally shoot 42-year-old Jermaine Hickson after he opened fire on police in Coney Island. In the photo: the aftermath of the shooting
Hickson was seen in the street with a gun and opened fire on responding officers as they jumped out of their cruiser
Rossiter’s father told police his son looked fine before going to his bedroom on Wednesday. Pictured: A police vehicle outside Rossiter’s home on Staten Island
Rossiter’s father told police his son looked fine before going to his bedroom on Wednesday.
Neighbors described him as a “known and loved” young man who is one of several police officers and firefighters with houses nearby.
Rossiter was also remembered by members of his college fraternity, Kappa Sigma Rho-Sigma. A tribute on Facebook said, “Rest in peace brother Colin Rossiter. You will forever have a place in our hearts, not only as a brother but also as a friend. Fly high.’
In January, an NYPD police officer took his own life in a Queens apartment building by jumping to his death in broad daylight.
Steven Hernandez was pronounced dead shortly before 12:30 a.m. at Lefrak City Apartments in Flushing, Queens.
Hernandez, a 30-year-old father of two, belonged to the 121st Precinct on Staten Island. According to reports, he just left an appointment with a psychiatrist.
Days later, an off-duty officer was found dead near Brookville Park, in Queens, after shooting himself.
And earlier this month, a New York police officer shot himself to death in a locker room after serving less than a year. The male officer, who was 22, was taken to Jacobi Hospital in the Bronx in critical condition after the bullet struck his cheek.
Dates from Blue HELPan organization that tracks cases of suicide among law enforcement officers and campaigns for better mental health support shows that 18 cops have died by suicide in the US so far in 2023.
That was 154 in 2022, 141 in 2021 and 145 in 2020. Between 2017 and 2022, according to Blue HELP, 185 to 250 first responders died per year.
Steven Hernandez was pronounced dead shortly before 12:30 a.m. on January 10 at Lefrak City Apartments in Flushing, Queens.
Hernandez joined the NYPD in 2017. Last year he was assigned to the 121st Precinct
In addition, male first responders were significantly more likely to die by suicide than their female counterparts. Of the 186 deaths in 2022, 168 were committed by men and 18 by women.
Among recorded deaths, it was found that police officers averaged nearly 16.5 years of service among those who committed suicide. Firefighters averaged 14.77, correctional officers averaged 11.31, EMS averaged 10.83, and dispatchers averaged three years of service.
Blue HELP was founded by Karen Solomon and Jeffrey McGill. A statement from the organization said: ‘Blue HELP’s mission is to reduce mental health stigma through education, advocate for benefits for those suffering from post-traumatic stress, recognize the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers we have lost to suicide, to assist officers in their quest for healing and to raise awareness of suicide and mental health issues.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or actions, call the National Suicide Hotline at 988.
