Taylor police officer found dead in apparent suicide in Ypsilanti Township
A Taylor police officer was found dead from a gunshot wound Thursday in an Ypsilanti Township parking lot, but there was no indication of foul play, a Washtenaw County sheriff’s spokesman said.
The News-Herald in Southgate reported Taylor police officer Michael Rich was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head and that the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office was investigating the death.
Sgt. Geoffrey Fox of the Washtenaw County sheriff's said the man was discovered dead around 4 or 5 p.m. Thursday in the area of South Huron Street and Joe Hall Drive. He said he could not release any information about who found him.
Taylor police Chief Mary Sclabassi told the News-Herald that Rich was not on duty at the time of the shooting. She called him an “outstanding police officer.”
Call for help
If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts or would like to speak with someone, call the Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Help is available 24 hours a day.
View Shooting death in a larger map
Comments
BhavanaJagat
Sat, May 25, 2013 : 5:09 p.m.
Prevention of Suicide: This unfortunate and untimely loss of life could have been prevented if we design and implement a comprehensive health care plan to protect all people who may carry a service weapon. In the armed forces, there is a serious concern about the use of a service weapon to end one's own life. While we give attention to aspects of physical fitness, physical strength, and physical endurance, we should not ignore the aspect of mental fitness, mental stamina, and the ability called stress resistance. We need to check and assess this aspect of health and well-being by conducting periodical examinations even if the individual has no problems to report. A man is not known until his thoughts are known and hence this dimension to man's health should be fully covered.
Sam S Smith
Sat, May 25, 2013 : 3:35 a.m.
Special thoughts and prayers for this officer, his family and friends!
LaMusica
Sat, May 25, 2013 : 3:33 a.m.
Oh no, how terrible... My thoughts go out to his family :(