TODAY MARKS THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PASSING OF OFFICER SCOTT E. DONAHUE.  SCOTT PROUDLY SERVED THE DEPARTMENT AND THE CITIZENS OF WYOMISSING FROM 1984 UNTIL HIS UNTIMELY DEATH ON AUGUST 18, 1997.  SCOTT WAS NOT ONLY A DECORATED POLICE OFFICER, HE WAS A HUSBAND, FATHER, SON AND FRIEND TO MANY.  SCOTT, LIKE MANY OF US, HAD DEMONS.  TODAY I HOPE AND BELIEVE, THAT WE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT ARE BETTER EDUCATED AT RECOGNIZING THOSE DEMONS AND PREPARED TO GET HELP TO THOSE BROTHERS OR SISTERS IN BLUE THAT ARE IN CRISIS.  IT IS UNFORTUNATE THAT SCOTT IS NOT ALONE IN HOW HE DEALT WITH THOSE DEMONS.  IN 2019, SUICIDE WAS THE 10TH RANKED CAUSE OF DEATH IN THE UNITED STATES.  IN THAT SAME YEAR, 89 OFFICERS DIED IN THE LINE OF DUTY, WHILE ACCORDING TO BLUE H.E.L.P. (A NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT HAS BEEN STUDYING SUICIDE BY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ) 239 OFFICERS TOOK THEIR OWN LIFE.  THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH OFFERS THE FOLLOWING WARNING SIGNS FOR SOMEONE WHO MAY BE CONTEMPLATING SUICIDE:

• TALKING ABOUT WANTING TO DIE OR WANTING TO KILL THEMSELVES.
• TALKING ABOUT FEELING EMPTY OR HOPELESS OR HAVING NO REASON TO LIVE.
• TALKING ABOUT FEELING TRAPPED OR FEELING THAT THERE ARE NO SOLUTIONS.
• FEELING UNBEARABLE EMOTIONAL OR PHYSICAL PAIN.
• TALKING ABOUT BEING A BURDEN TO OTHERS.
• WITHDRAWING FROM FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
• DISPLAYING EXTREME MOOD SWINGS.
• USING ALCOHOL OR DRUGS MORE OFTEN.
• SHOWING RAGE OR TALKING ABOUT SEEKING REVENGE.

IF YOU ARE IN CRISIS AND CONTEMPLATING SUICIDE, WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO CONTACT THE SUICIDE AND CRISIS LIFELINE AT 988 OR 1-800-273-8255 OR YOU CAN TEXT HELLO TO 741741.