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NYPD Officer Matthew Schindler Commits Suicide, Fourth In 2012

Fourth Suicide

First Posted: 02/14/2012 1:00 pm Updated: 02/14/2012 1:23 pm

An NYPD officer died from an apparent suicide on Monday in Long Island, marking the fourth suicide committed by an NYPD officer this year and the second in just eight days.

39-year old Matthew Schindler was found dead after pulling his car over on the Long Island Expressway and shooting himself under his chin. He was a 14-year veteran of the department and leaves behind a wife and three children.

Upon hearing the news of Schindler's suicide, Bill Genet of the Police Organization Providing Peer Assistance volunteer group said, "Oh, God, not another one."

The other police suicides include an officer who shot himself on January 19 while on-duty in Queens. A police source described the incident and said, "He got out of his (patrol) car and he's on the phone with somebody...He puts the gun in his mouth and fires."

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An NYPD officer died from an apparent suicide on Monday in Long Island, marking the fourth suicide committed by an NYPD officer this year and the second in just eight days. 39-year old Matthew Sch...
An NYPD officer died from an apparent suicide on Monday in Long Island, marking the fourth suicide committed by an NYPD officer this year and the second in just eight days. 39-year old Matthew Sch...
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08:21 PM on 02/17/2012
I don't mean to sound heartless but if four teachers, or four electricians committed suicide this year would it be news? Police officers are people just like the rest of us, and we all have a breaking point.
08:51 PM on 02/16/2012
Matthew schindler(jr) is in my school, and when i found out about the inccedent i literly cried. He was in my fourth grade class, we were all s inoccent, never thought a day like this would come. Then my friend said whe they were both little his dad confronted her and said "if i ever died unexpectently take care of matt for me" Im stillinshock, but i wish nothing but hope and love to matt and his famile.
04:51 AM on 02/17/2012
Its really sad I knew him too :(( ill be at his funeral tomorrow :(
08:12 PM on 02/15/2012
so what, probably felt bad about the crimes they committed
08:39 AM on 02/16/2012
You also are a sheep !! Take back your manhood never call police for help make can you handle that ???
07:05 PM on 02/17/2012
what?
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Sanders McGrillin
06:50 PM on 02/15/2012
Sweet, so far thats 2 per month! Lets hope that trend continues to 2013
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firestorm5045
Succisa Virescit
07:30 AM on 02/16/2012
Well said sanders! Now how about you do your best bud dwyer impression...
08:22 AM on 02/16/2012
join the clan vote to remove all law enforcement we can handle the law. Start by never calling a cop if your raped beaten or robbed. Can you do that ?? If so your in the movement most can't defend themselves. They end calling the man to rescue them so if your weak move along be the sheep that you are.
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Sanders McGrillin
03:42 PM on 02/16/2012
Hmmm, I think calling the police makes you the sheep. Yeah, I have medical training, as a former US Army soldier, I also have acres upon acres of property, multiple guns, and multiple vehicles.... funny now that you mention it, I HAVE NEVER had to call the police to help, but I HAVE been detained & questioned (but not arrested) when they have been looking for other people. Funny thing is that while they waste thier time questioning me, the actual perp they were looking for got away. Thats some real good police work huh?
03:36 PM on 02/15/2012
hopefully some good will come from this rash of tragedies... perhaps civilians will realize that cops are only human, and that they live with an enormous amount of pressure... and perhaps police brass will realize that some of the demands placed on the rank and file are unreasonable and unnecessary...
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Sanders McGrillin
06:49 PM on 02/15/2012
perhaps this cop was guilty of something, & knew he was going to pay for it in the long run, he ended it so he could not be found as corrupt.
08:25 AM on 02/16/2012
Sounds like Sanders is the victim of the POLICE !! Your words mean nothing till you have manned up for yourself. The police have taken your manhood and now you live as a sheep in the herd of doom !!!
03:58 PM on 02/17/2012
Yes all cops eat donuts all day long and every cop is a bribe taking idiot. I like to see your good old southern butt. Walk thru a all black neighborhood and maintain order knowing and them knowing you can not shoot them on site. As you say your military is protecting me harms way. As you need no cops I do not need no drug smuggling soldier and we do know that goes on a lot. The military has a lot of corruption so don't try and back paddle. I have been in the agency to know all the evil of are hero's in every employment there is corruption. Teachers having sex with children so every teacher is a sex manic. Stay on your land as long as you try and keep your nose out of trouble. No cop will bother you !! Cops also see dead children chopped up bodys not as much as in the service. But if you work in a high crime area you more than enough. You should come up to NYC and take a stroll thru the bronx then into Bushwick and see if you come out alive. Thats why you guys are jar heads!!!
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Jakpot
That was then, This is now
05:50 AM on 02/15/2012
Who do you believe?
04:46 AM on 02/15/2012
Not everyone can be a police officer. Even with all the difficultly, some people LOVE being on the police force. Perhaps these men where a wrong fit for the job.
05:45 AM on 02/15/2012
I DO NOT AGREE. This job is is different and thoughs do it for any length of time are not normally a bad fit . The things that MUST done can make give you nightmares . I KNOW. And I loved the job.
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duaneanthonywebb
04:30 AM on 02/15/2012
A good idea to determine whether or not they were connected/involved in that NYPD domestic spying mess in NYC that's recently been uncovered. If so, then these aren't suicides.
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Denisehh3
redneckislandgirl
04:06 AM on 02/15/2012
What on earth is going on?..........are all these Officers tied to a specific scenario?
03:30 PM on 02/15/2012
don't know about these specific officers, but most cop suicides are triggerd by their personal life, not the job itself... however, it is the stress created by the job that takes such a toll on the personal life...
03:08 AM on 02/15/2012
They knew something they shouldn't have, and they couldn't handle it.
04:56 PM on 02/15/2012
Let me say this. I grew up with the guy as he lived near my home and we went to the same high school and I know his mother and father. Great people, great neighborhood, etc..

I only reply so we can put the speculation to rest. I have heard from people in our small community who are good friends with the family and it had NOTHING to do with the job. It was due to personal matters. Plain and simple.
09:12 AM on 02/16/2012
Yes thank u ncarto1 I worked with him and it had nothing to do with the job...it was all personal issues
02:42 AM on 02/15/2012
We need to pray for police officers, they have a tough job. Also whoever is in charge there needs to talk to them as a group and tell them never to despair, have faith in God, think of your family who needs you.
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Lloyd Harris
Left hand, left footed, left winger
07:23 AM on 02/16/2012
Whatever!! They shouldn't have been cops in the first place.
02:26 AM on 02/15/2012
Pretty sad for those left behind. No pun intended but its almost like a COPy Cat serial situation.
Stressful Job.
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02:17 AM on 02/15/2012
Once you become a cop you have no life off the job. They are mentally always at work even driving home from the job; always on the "watch" after a while you just become the badge and stress takes the place of pleasure of the job. But without the cops who would you call when your house get's broken into...the thugs who did it?
02:14 AM on 02/15/2012
To par0leepart27, you are pathetic and you have some ballzz posting what you did!!!!!!!.
02:11 AM on 02/15/2012
Prayers go out to the family of NYPD Officer Matthew Schindler it is a terrible thing when a person has so many inner-demons that they take their own life but the life of an LEO is not an easy one and those terrible people who are wishing ill of those who protect and serve should be ashamed. Many the angels look after NYPD Officer Matthew Schindler's family and protect them and keep them safe and hopefully Officer Schindler has finally found peace.