Officer suicide

**Cidp24** · 10-08-07, 06:06 PM

October 8, 2007
Jackson officer found dead after apparent suicide
· Neighbors say 32-year-old always was friendly, helpful to them

By Nicklaus Loveladynicklaus.lovelady@jackson.gann ett.com
Police and family members are mourning the death of a 32-year-old Jackson police officer who apparently shot himself at his home on Sunday.
About 10:15 a.m., the body of Arthur Allen was found by his girlfriend at 3341 Center St. in Jackson, said police spokesman Sgt. Jeffery Scott.
The shooting is still under investigation, but Hinds County Coroner Sharon Grisham-Stewart said the gunshot wound to Allen's head appeared to be self-inflicted.
"We will get confirmation once the autopsy is completed," Grisham-Stewart said.
An autopsy is scheduled for this evening, she said.
Allen, who had been on the force for three years, was a Precinct 3 patrol officer. He was not scheduled to be at work at the time his body was found.
Scott said he did not know the last time Allen reported to work and did not know what may have prompted Allen to take his own life.
"It feels kind of strange when you have to investigate the death of one of your own," he said.
Police Chief Shirlene Anderson said the department has a crisis intervention unit that will offer counseling to officers. "We're like a family, so any time an officer is killed, we have to pull together and cope with it the best we can," she said.
Neighbors who knew Allen praised his character and were in disbelief over the news.
Patsy Dixon, who lives next door to Allen's home, said he was upbeat and was always there for her family.
"He worked at nights, but anytime he was home and we were sitting on the porch, he would always take time out to come and laugh with us and talk," she said. "That's why I can't believe it - because of the attitude he had. He was such a beautiful person."
Gussie Wheeler, who has lived in her Center Street home for more than 50 years, said she came to know Allen when he became friends with her son.
In March, when Wheeler's son died of heart failure, Allen offered a shoulder for her to lean on.
"I'll always remember that he was here for me when I lost my son," she said.
Jackson Police Training Academy Cmdr. Tyrone Lewis' relationship with Allen extended beyond Allen's years with the Police Department.
Lewis said he first met Allen as a student at Brinkley Middle School in 1985 through JPD's police Explorers program. The program introduces children to law enforcement careers.
Even then, Lewis said, Allen was a standout student who was articulate and bright.
"I was surprised that he chose law enforcement because he was highly gifted in academics, but I was also pleased to see the impact we had on his life and to see him want to come back and serve in the community he grew up in," Lewis said.
Friends and family members gathered at a relative's home in the 3600 block of Sunset Drive on Sunday afternoon. A police officer prevented media from speaking to the family.
Allen's death comes five months after 38-year-old Derek Harding, an 11-year JPD veteran, shot himself in the chest. Harding was assigned to Precinct 2.
Two other officers have taken their own lives since 2000, bringing to four the number of suicides among JPD officers.
Aubrey Rainey, 45, was found dead in his Brandon home of a gunshot wound to the head in June 2003.
Patrolman Larry Harper, 39, a liaison officer and CrimeStoppers coordinator, killed himself in February 2000.

**joneziecop4life** · 10-08-07, 06:17 PM

RIP IN PEACE!!!!!!
whoah!!!!! is it stress???? what is it?? is off the job stress and on the job stress have a big thing to do with the recents

**PapaBear** · 10-08-07, 06:21 PM

OMG, not another! Last year the California Highway Patrol lost five or six officers by self destruction. They now have a major campaign to reduce the trend and are proactive through the use of memos, posters and briefing items.

May the officer rest in peace and may God comfort those closest to him. St Michael has another warrior at his side.

**Jenna** · 10-08-07, 06:22 PM

Rest in peace.

**Buttercup** · 10-08-07, 06:36 PM

That's very sad. RIP.

**Pudge** · 10-08-07, 07:05 PM

Rest in peace.

**smokey703** · 10-08-07, 07:06 PM

Rest in peace

**hush29** · 10-08-07, 07:34 PM

My department is fortunate enough, nothing like that has ever happened as far as I know. Sad. RIP.

**Willowdared** · 10-08-07, 07:56 PM

Thoughts and prayers enroute.

We've had a couple over the past three years....it is a gutting experience for those left behind.

**MacLean** · 10-08-07, 08:49 PM

"That's why I can't believe it - because of the attitude he had. He was such a beautiful person."

Sometimes the beautiful people have trouble with the things they see.

RIP

**armsmaster270** · 10-08-07, 08:51 PM

Too many, to soon. Rest in peace

PeterJasonMN · 10-08-07, 10:05 PM

Our area's had a couple. One was on the phone w/his wife at the time, another was a younger female who was a sheriff's deputy. She hadn't been on the job too long and decided to say fuck it.

**Cidp24** · 10-08-07, 10:09 PM

I went to high school with one of the officers listed in the report and later, worked close with him because our jurisdiction borders JPD's.
I still, for the life of me, cant figure out why that happened.

**JLK** · 10-08-07, 10:41 PM

rip

a note to all of us, find someone to talk to before it gets to that point.

**MacLean** · 10-09-07, 12:37 AM

Originally Posted by JLK

rip

a note to all of us, find someone to talk to before it gets to that point.

+10000

Anyone, anytime, anywhere gets to thinking like that I will give my number or be there in person to listen objectively and confidentially.

I trained as a suicide intervention specialist once, and the thing they taught me that has helped the most is to never judge, only to recognize.