Stillwater Correctional Officer Dies At Work

Today I was at the YMCA I work out at. Frequently I run into a sergeant from Lino Lakes MCF there. Today he said, "Did you hear the news today?"

"No," I replied.

"A C.O. at Stillwater died today."

"How"? I asked.

"He was supposed to work the tower today. When he got his gun he walked behind a pillar and blew his head off."

"Why?"

"I don't know." He said, "I heard he had problems with depression and was having some problems at work. Hell of a line of work we've chosen. If you don't get killed at work you end up killing yourself."

I haven't seen this on the news yet. I don't know if it will make the news. I'll bet there will be no covered shields and bagpipes for him. Ours is the branch of law enforcement no one sees. Everyone sees the cop drag the criminal off of the street. Then as far as the public is concerned it's over. There's an article entitled The Forgotten Cop that sums up our work and there's also a Corrections Officer's Memorial for those who die in our line of work. Take the time to read these and be careful. This line of work can be stressful avoiding danger at work and psychologically.