Police officer kills himself, the 9th NYPD death by suicide this year

New York-An off-duty New York City police officer killed himself on Wednesday, adding to a troubling increase in death by suicides within the New York City Police Department.

The officer with more than 25 years of service, whose name was not immediately released, because the ninth NYPD officer to die by suicide this year. Officials said he shot himself in the head at his home in Queens just after 6 p.m. He was then rushed to a hospital in Manhasset where he was pronounced dead.

Police Commissioner James O’Neill has declared a mental health crisis in the department amid the recent spate of officer suicides. He’s spoken out about the issue, urging cops to seek help if they need it.

"We must make sure our cops understand the process when seeking help during a crisis — their careers don’t have to be adversely affected," O'Neill tweeted in July, linking to an interview with WNYC radio about suicide prevention.