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Euclid: Mayor, chief identify officer who committed suicide | wkyc.com
EUCLID -- Euclid Mayor Bill Cervenik has identified the police officer who committed suicide just after 8 a.m. Wednesday at the police station.
Cervenik said the officer was Det Sgt. Kevin Blakeley, a 28-year veteran of the police department. Cervenik said he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Euclid Police Chief James G. Repicky said, "It is with great sadness that I report that Detective Sergeant Kevin Blakeley passed away this morning, as the result of a self-inflicted gunshot at the Euclid Police Department. Detective Sergeant Blakeley was a 28-year veteran of the Euclid Police Department. Most of his career was spent in the Narcotics and Vice Unit."
Cuyahoga County Coroner Spokesman Powell Caesar says the officer was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. An autopsy will be done shortly.
Cervenik talked about Blakeley's work, saying "A great part of what he did was work sweeps. When we had problems in certain neighborhoods, Kevin would lead those details and make people who were causing trouble in those neighborhoods understand that this isn't where they ought to be and we'll miss him for that."
"Again, I can't say how much we feel for the family and all his friends," Cervenik added.
Cervenik said he told the department's other officers at afternoon roll call, "to be careful, to always remember that Kevin is a member of our family and, regardless of the circumstances and the fact that we don't understand why things happen in a person's life and the decisions they make, he's still one of ours and always will be."
Several officers witnessed Blakeley's suicide. Cervenik said, "They're police officers. They're trained to be OK and we're proud of that. But you know it's on their minds and we wanted to make it clear to them and their supervisors, wanted to make it clear to the them that the door's open. If you need to come in and take a breather, come in. We have people to cover for you."
Euclid Mayor Bill Cervenik also released this written statement, saying all city American flags are now flying at half-staff:
"The city of Euclid and the Euclid Police Department are saddened by the tragic passing of this officer. Our hearts go out to the officers that work with this individual. The entire city is mourning the loss of this public servant. On the behalf of the entire city of Euclid, I extend our deepest sympathy, thoughts and prayers to the officer's family."
WKYC-TV
Euclid: Mayor, chief identify officer who committed suicide | wkyc.com
EUCLID -- Euclid Mayor Bill Cervenik has identified the police officer who committed suicide just after 8 a.m. Wednesday at the police station.
Cervenik said the officer was Det Sgt. Kevin Blakeley, a 28-year veteran of the police department. Cervenik said he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Euclid Police Chief James G. Repicky said, "It is with great sadness that I report that Detective Sergeant Kevin Blakeley passed away this morning, as the result of a self-inflicted gunshot at the Euclid Police Department. Detective Sergeant Blakeley was a 28-year veteran of the Euclid Police Department. Most of his career was spent in the Narcotics and Vice Unit."
Cuyahoga County Coroner Spokesman Powell Caesar says the officer was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. An autopsy will be done shortly.
Cervenik talked about Blakeley's work, saying "A great part of what he did was work sweeps. When we had problems in certain neighborhoods, Kevin would lead those details and make people who were causing trouble in those neighborhoods understand that this isn't where they ought to be and we'll miss him for that."
"Again, I can't say how much we feel for the family and all his friends," Cervenik added.
Cervenik said he told the department's other officers at afternoon roll call, "to be careful, to always remember that Kevin is a member of our family and, regardless of the circumstances and the fact that we don't understand why things happen in a person's life and the decisions they make, he's still one of ours and always will be."
Several officers witnessed Blakeley's suicide. Cervenik said, "They're police officers. They're trained to be OK and we're proud of that. But you know it's on their minds and we wanted to make it clear to them and their supervisors, wanted to make it clear to the them that the door's open. If you need to come in and take a breather, come in. We have people to cover for you."
Euclid Mayor Bill Cervenik also released this written statement, saying all city American flags are now flying at half-staff:
"The city of Euclid and the Euclid Police Department are saddened by the tragic passing of this officer. Our hearts go out to the officers that work with this individual. The entire city is mourning the loss of this public servant. On the behalf of the entire city of Euclid, I extend our deepest sympathy, thoughts and prayers to the officer's family."
WKYC-TV