Law Enforcement Talk: True Crime and Trauma StoriesThe NYC Police Death Epidemic, NYPD. She Tells their Story to save Lives. Special Episode.
The NYC Police Death Epidemic, NYPD. She Tells their Story to save Lives. Special Episode. It was a beautiful September day in 2002 when MaryAnn Maginnis' life changed forever. As she returned home, she found her husband Peter's goodbye letters. Moments later, when she saw two NYPD chaplains approaching her door, she knew the devastating truth - her husband, a 37-year-old NYPD sergeant, had died by suicide. Check out the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Newsbreak, Medium and most all social media platforms.
MaryAnn Maginnis is our guest. She tells the story of her husband's death to help save the lives of others. The interview is available as a free podcast on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and most major podcast platforms.
"As I'm reading it I'm calling him and his phone is ringing downstairs, I'm on his phone calling his friends and parents I'm on the house phone calling 911," MaryAnn recalled. "And then, when I ran outside, I saw them, I knew it was true."
Peter Maginnis was the last person anyone would have expected to take his own life. A beloved figure in the NYPD, he was known for his giant heart, infectious humor, and ability to make those around him laugh. He and MaryAnn had three beautiful children, and by all accounts, he was living a fulfilling life. The NYC Police Death Epidemic, NYPD. She Tells their Story to save Lives. Special Episode. We covered her story in platforms like Medium and Newsbreak.
"He was a great guy," MaryAnn said. "He was a good guy. It still happens 21 years later. He had a giant heart, funny. He was always making somebody laugh."
But the realities of life as an NYPD officer had taken a devastating toll on Peter's mental health. On September 20, 2002, he took his own life.
In the aftermath of this tragedy, MaryAnn has dedicated herself to honoring Peter's memory and raising awareness about the critical issue of mental health in law enforcement. She has become a driving force in the effort to support families affected by suicide and end the stigma surrounding these issues. The interview with her is available as a free podcast on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and most major podcast platforms.
"I'm honoring them because we love them and it's how they lived, but it's not OK how they died," MaryAnn said. "Now my life is dedicated to ending the stigma surrounding suicide."
MaryAnn's work has created a much-needed community for families affected by suicide, something that did not exist when Peter died. As the widow liaison for the NYPD Anchor Club, a Catholic organization of officers who are Knights of Columbus, she has been able to provide support and resources to others who have endured similar tragedies. The NYC Police Death Epidemic, NYPD. She Tells their Story to save Lives. Keep informed by following the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, MeWe, Pinterest, Newsbreak, Medium and other social media platforms.
"They started inviting me to things and the kids," MaryAnn said. "I got to hang out with the police officers and my kids got to see the blue uniforms and how they stick together. That's how I kept my husband alive."
The Maginnis family's story is a poignant reminder of the profound impact that officer suicides can have on families and the broader law enforcement community. Peter's legacy lives on through his three children.
The Maginnis family's story is tragically not unique. According to a report by the nonprofit organization First H.E.L.P. and the CNA Corporation, more than 1,200 public safety personnel, including law enforcement and corrections officers, died by suicide between 2016 and 2022. The NYC Police Death Epidemic, NYPD. The interview is available as a free podcast on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and most major podcast platforms.
"First H.E.L.P. reduces mental health stigma for first responders through education and awareness and assists first responders in their search for healing," the organization's mission states. "We acknowledge the service and sacrifice of first responders lost to suicide and care for their families in the aftermath of a suicide loss."
The data paints a sobering picture of the mental health crisis facing the law enforcement community. On average, approximately 184 law enforcement officers die by suicide each year, a staggering statistic that underscores the urgency of addressing this issue.
"More than 1,200 of the nation's public safety personnel died by suicide over a seven-year period, according to a report released by a nonprofit organization that tracks law enforcement suicides," the report found.
For MaryAnn Maginnis, this crisis hits close to home. She has made it her life's mission to ensure that no other family has to endure the same tragedy that she and her children have faced.
"A suicide loss is unique, it can be difficult for families to share their experience with others who have not suffered the same type of loss," the First H.E.L.P. website states. "With the loss of thousands of law enforcement officers to suicide, we can put you in touch with another family who has experienced LEO suicide and knows what you are going through. No judgement, no stigma; just compassion and understanding."
Through her work with the Anchor Club and other organizations, MaryAnn has become a beacon of hope and support for those affected by officer suicides. She has worked tirelessly to create a community where families can find the understanding and resources they need to navigate the aftermath of these devastating losses. The NYC Police Death Epidemic, NYPD. She Tells their Story to save Lives. Special Episode.
As the NYPD and law enforcement agencies across the country continue to grapple with the crisis of officer suicides, the Maginnis family's story serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive mental health support and resources for those who put their lives on the line to serve and protect their communities.
"I'm honoring them because we love them and it's how they lived, but it's not OK how they died," MaryAnn said. "Now her life is dedicated to ending the stigma surrounding suicide."
Through her unwavering commitment and the powerful legacy of her husband, MaryAnn Maginnis is leading the charge to ensure that no other family has to endure the same heartbreak that she and her children have experienced. By sharing their story, she hopes to save lives and inspire meaningful change within the law enforcement community and beyond. The NYC Police Death Epidemic, NYPD. Be sure to follow the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and podcast on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Newsbreak, Medium and most all social media platforms.
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The NYC Police Death Epidemic, NYPD. She Tells their Story to save Lives. Special Episode.
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