Posted on Mon, Dec 26, 2011 : 10:05 a.m.
Memorial arrangements announced for EMU Police Chief Greg O'Dell
By Julie Baker
Public visitation and a memorial service have been scheduled this week for Eastern Michigan University Police Chief Greg O'Dell.
Greg O'Dell
O’Dell died Friday at the age of 54 after an apparent suicide just west of Ann Arbor. O’Dell had just returned to EMU as police chief after a three-month stint as police chief of the University of Michigan Public Safety Department.
O'Dell's family has requested that in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to EMU Athletics or the Ann Arbor Police Department.
Comments
BhavanaJagat
Thu, Dec 29, 2011 : 4:08 p.m.
Human Nature and Human Motivation : I think reader Tesla has asked a very relevant question and it must not be ignored. However, it is not my purpose to probe or investigate the motivation that contributed to this unfortunate death. I question my own motivation for expressing my view about this news story. In my experience, deaths due to suicide is a common problem, a problem that is found among people of all religions, all cultures, all nationalities, and social occupations. I am motivated to help people to live normal lives while they may entertain suicidal thoughts in their minds. Very often, as in this case, people fail to expose their personal thoughts and feelings to others. People do not seek help while they try to cope with a problem with the intellectual skills or knowledge they may have by reasons of education or occupation. I speak about human nature to help people to live their own lives. In the human society, there is division of labor. I may not have all the skills that are needed to exist in the world. In a civil society, it is our civic duty and responsibility to understand events and share information with others and find a rational basis to support our existence. The United States Constitution gives us the right to make individual, subjective choices in the pursuit of happiness and gives us the Right to Life. Life and Liberty have no value if there is no Happiness in Life. To find Happiness, man needs Satisfaction in Life. It is not irrational if I kill myself, if I am not satisfied with my Life. At a fundamental level, suicide is about finding happiness in life. <a href="http://bhavanajagat.com/2010/11/29/mental-health-and-prevention-of-suicide/" rel='nofollow'>http://bhavanajagat.com/2010/11/29/mental-health-and-prevention-of-suicide/</a>
BhavanaJagat
Thu, Dec 29, 2011 : 5:34 p.m.
@DBH : I agree with you. I submit to you that my apparent mistake is related to my personal experience about life and death and may not be truly applicable to every individual case. The news story has reported a death due to apparent suicide and has not given us any further information. To prevent the problem of suicide, I recommend the principle of "Getting Connected."
DBH
Thu, Dec 29, 2011 : 4:27 p.m.
"Very often, as in this case, people fail to expose their personal thoughts and feelings to others. People do not seek help while they try to cope with a problem with the intellectual skills or knowledge they may have by reasons of education or occupation." BhavanaJagat, I am sure you mean well, but I rather doubt you have any actual knowledge of what Police Chief O'Dell did or did not do related to his sharing with others his thoughts or feelings, or any resources he may or may not have used, that culminated nonetheless in his apparent suicide. Such speculation, in my opinion, is inappropriate.
moretothestory
Thu, Dec 29, 2011 : 1:42 a.m.
Mr. O'Dell must have been in great pain about something. Just another reminder to show kindness to other people. You never know when someone is on the edge. Bless your soul Mr. O'Dell.
Tesla
Wed, Dec 28, 2011 : 3:44 p.m.
I hope this comment is not deleted as it is in good taste and I believe speaks for a lot of readers. I am haunted by this tragedy. I never met Mr. O'Dell. I had followed his career in the newspapers and felt good about a man like this being in our law enforcement community. He seemed like he had it all. I can not imagine the feelings the family and close friends and associates are going through. I know in a lot of ways why this happened is none of our business, and I feel as though it is more than morbid curiousity that compels me to need to now why. If there is any way the family or news folks can help me and anyone else who is haunted by this to understand it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you and god bless the family and Mr. O'Dell
Tesla
Thu, Dec 29, 2011 : 6:11 a.m.
Thank you DBH. Just tryin to get my head around this as best I can like everyone else. I do hope his family has the answers they need to find peace.
DBH
Thu, Dec 29, 2011 : 4:58 a.m.
Sorrow is knowledge: they who know the most Must mourn the deepest o'er the fatal truth, The Tree of Knowledge is not that of Life. - George Gordon Noel Byron (1788–1824), British poet. Manfred, in Manfred, act 1, sc. 1 (1817). Tesla, I can empathize. However, I think it is very likely that there would be no information available that would bring you any form of solace or understanding. Although I hope I am wrong, I think the same likely applies to his family.
nowayjose
Thu, Dec 29, 2011 : 3:29 a.m.
If he affected your life in a positive way then remember him for that and leave it there. Just because he was a public figure doesn't make it yours or anyone elese business why. What can you hope to gain personally by knowing why? The answer: nothing
Tesla
Thu, Dec 29, 2011 : 2:59 a.m.
I understand your comment but it's more than morbid curiosity. This man was a leader. A police chief. Not just some ordinary Joe. He affected a lot of peoples lives in a very positive way as a police officer and police chief and yes I and a lot of people affected by this are total strangers but Chief O'Dell was a public figure who we respected and looked up to and maybe it's childish but yeah. I need to know why. A lot of people do. I'm sorry but thats the truth of it.
bluecollar
Thu, Dec 29, 2011 : 2:07 a.m.
You really think that while the family is grieving they should take time to read this blog and update you (a total stanger) on the events/circumstances that led up to this tragic event? This will probably be the most devistating event in their life, and poor curious you, needs an update. Look up selfish in the dictionary.
nowayjose
Thu, Dec 29, 2011 : 1:29 a.m.
Nope it's none of your business. Just because the news put something out means its now your business. And it is just morbid curiosity on your part.
15crown00
Tue, Dec 27, 2011 : 6:36 p.m.
What a truly sad story.
BhavanaJagat
Tue, Dec 27, 2011 : 6:25 p.m.
I appreciate AnnArbor.com for sharing the news about the memorial arrangements and giving the readers to ponder about this loss of life in our community. I share the grief along with others and have known it from the loss of my own relatives and friends.
Stephanie Trax
Tue, Dec 27, 2011 : 2:57 p.m.
So sorry for the family and friends of Mr. O'Dell. My prayers are with you. May God comfort you, strengthen you, heal you and give you peace, as you rest in His arms. And may He help you to cherish the good memories for years to come.
Diane
Tue, Dec 27, 2011 : 1:43 p.m.
What a thing to face any time, but especially this time of year. Prayers & sympathy to the family.
dexterreader
Tue, Dec 27, 2011 : 1:40 p.m.
An incredibly sad story, especially at this time of year. My heart goes out to the family who must deal with the pain and sadness. There are so many unanswered questions here. I hope his family gets some answers and is able to find some peace and comfort somehow.
katmando
Mon, Dec 26, 2011 : 5:22 p.m.
very sad I didn't know him very well but I had met him many times over the years,