If you or a loved one is feeling distressed, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The crisis center provides free and confidential emotional support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Or text HOME to 741-741 (Crisis Text Line).
Before Nelson’s death, 51-year-old Earl Kelly died by suicide on September 1.
It was the latest in a string of suicides from police officers this summer, causing Supt. David Brown to come under heavy scrutiny for routinely canceling days off for officers as the department grapples with staffing issues and has struggled to recruit and retain officers. Sgt. Andrew Dobda, 47, died by suicide on July 17 — just a day after Officer Durand Lee, 42, died by suicide at his home.Brown said last month he was implementing changes that would give officers more time off. The policy shift came just a day after the city’s Inspector General Deborah Witzburg issued a scathing report showing the department scheduled nearly 1,200 officers to work at least 11 straight days earlier this year.