NYPD cop, 22, who shot dead armed man in Coney Island robbery kills himself at home

A rookie NYPD cop has taken his life just months after he was 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 in Staten Island at about 1.50am on Thursday. A gun was found next to him.

Rossiter was found by his father, a retired NYPD sergeant, and taken to hospital but pronounced dead on arrival.

He was only appointed to the job in October 2021 and worked in 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 removed. He is the third NYPD officer to die by suicide in 2023.

Colin Rossiter, 22, (pictured) was named as the NYPD officer who shot himself at his home in Staten Island at about 1.50am Thursday

Colin Rossiter, 22, (pictured) was named as the NYPD officer who shot himself at his home in Staten Island at about 1.50am Thursday

Tributes were paid outside Staten Island University North Hospital. Rossiter was rushed to the hospital after his father discovered his body, but tragically pronounced dead on arrival

Tributes were paid outside Staten Island University North Hospital. Rossiter was rushed to the hospital after his father discovered his body, but tragically pronounced dead on arrival

Rossiter's fellow officers, relatives and other well-wishers gather to pay their respects to the young officer

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 die by suicide in 2023

Rossiter is the third NYPD officer to die by 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 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 cops who shot dead Jermaine Hickson, 42, after he opened fire on police in Coney Island.

Hickson was spotted standing in the street with a gun and opened fire on responding cops as they jumped out of their cruiser.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams said on Thursday: 'After the shooting, I reached out to the officers who were involved, because I just know that after an encounter like that, of good people, you know what officers 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 ease 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

Rossiter was also remembered by members of his college fraternity, Kappa Sigma Rho-Sigma

In November 2022, Rossiter was one of several officers who shot dead Jermaine Hickson, 42, after he opened fire on police in Coney Island. Pictured: the aftermath of the shooting

In November 2022, Rossiter was one of several officers who shot dead Jermaine Hickson, 42, after he opened fire on police in Coney Island. Pictured: the aftermath of the shooting

Hickson was spotted standing in the street with a gun and opened fire on responding cops as they jumped out their cruiser

Hickson was spotted standing in the street with a gun and opened fire on responding cops as they jumped out their cruiser

Rossiter's father told police his son appeared fine before heading to his bedroom on Wednesday. Pictured: a police vehicle outside Rossiter's home in Staten Island

Rossiter's father told police his son appeared fine before heading to his bedroom on Wednesday. Pictured: a police vehicle outside Rossiter's home in Staten Island

Rossiter's father told police his son appeared fine before heading to his bedroom on Wednesday. 

Neighbors described him as a 'well-known and loved' young man who is one of many police officers and firefighters with homes in the neighborhood.

Rossiter was also remembered by members of his college fraternity, Kappa Sigma Rho-Sigma. A tribute posted to Facebook said: 'Rest in Peace to brother Colin Rossiter. You will forever hold a place in our hearts not only as a brother but as a friend. Fly high.'

In January, an NYPD police officer took his own life at an apartment building in Queens by leaping to his death in broad daylight.

Steven Hernandez was pronounced dead at Lefrak City Apartments in Flushing, Queens, shortly before 12.30pm.

Hernandez, a 30-year-old father-of-two, belonged to the 121th Precinct in Staten Island. He just left an appointment with a psychiatrist, according to reports.

Days later, an off-duty officer was found dead near Brookville Park, in Queens, after he shot himself.

And earlier this month, a New York City police officer shot himself in a locker room after less than a year on the job. The male officer, who was 22, was transferred to Jacobi Hospital in the Bronx in critical condition after the bullet hit his cheek.

Data from Blue H.E.L.P, an organization which tracks cases of suicide among law enforcement and campaigns for better mental health support, shows 18 officers have died by suicide across the U.S. so far in 2023.

There were 154 in 2022, 141 in 2021, and 145 in 2020. Between 2017 and 2022, 185 to 250 first responders have died per year, according to Blue H.E.L.P.

Steven Hernandez was pronounced dead at Lefrak City Apartments in Flushing, Queens, shortly before 12.30pm on January 10

Steven Hernandez was pronounced dead at Lefrak City Apartments in Flushing, Queens, shortly before 12.30pm on January 10 

Hernandez joined the NYPD in 2017. He was assigned to the 121st Precinct last year Hernandez joined the NYPD in 2017. He was assigned to the 121st Precinct last year

Hernandez joined the NYPD in 2017. He was assigned to the 121st Precinct last year 

In addition, male first responders died by suicide at significantly higher rates than their female counterparts. Out of the 186 deaths in 2022, 168 of them were committed by males and 18 by female.

Among the recorded deaths, it was found that police officers had an average of nearly 16.5 years of service among those who took their own life. Firefighters had an average of 14.77, correctional officers averaged 11.31, EMS averaged 10.83, and dispatchers averaged three years of service.

Blue H.E.L.P was founded by Karen Solomon and Jeffrey McGill. A statement from the organization said: 'It is the mission of Blue H.E.L.P. to reduce mental health stigma through education, advocate for benefits for those suffering from post-traumatic stress, acknowledge the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers we lost to suicide, assist officers in their search for healing, and to bring awareness to suicide and mental health issues.'

If you or someone you know are experiencing suicidal thoughts or actions, please call the National Suicide Hotline at 988.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7pa3IpbCmmZmhe6S7ja6iaKaVrMBwrdGtoJyklWJ%2BcoSQcWhscV%2BDppGQjJymqWViZ3q0tM6tZJ2dkZl6or7MnptmpZGjeoS7zZ6wZoGjoa6vsIyrppualafGbrfIpaOsZZikuqZ6x62kpQ%3D%3D